Just as I am

“JUST AS I AM”

1. Just as I am, without one plea

But that Thy blood was shed for me

And that thou bidd’st me come to Thee

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

2. Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

3. Just as I am, tho tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind

Sight, riches, healing of the mind

Yea, all I need in Thee to find

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

5. Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Introduction: The Hymn “Just as I am” is written by Charlotte Elliott (1789 - 1871) and the tune is composed by well known American gospel musician William B. Bradbury. The Hymn was written out of intense feelings of uselessness and despair. It brings themes about surrender, dedication, invitation and salvation.

Background Story: The writer Charlotte was born in Clapham, England in 1789. When she became thirty, accidentally she lost her health and had been confined to bed for the remaining years. While she was in such situation for a long time, one Swiss evangelist Dr. Caesar Malan visited her in 1822 and gave her counseling. So, Charlotte could leave her spiritual and emotional problems by receiving the love of God through Malan’s speech. She was enlightened and revived. While talking, Dr. Malan impressed upon her that, “You must come just as you are, a sinner, to the Lamb of God that taken away the sin of the World”. She remember this very words and she celebrate every year the time when she was born again by expressing that the day was her spiritual birthday. However the inspiration did not come out immediately; rather she kept the word in her mind for a long time until 1836. In the year 1836, fourteenth year after conversion experience, the Hymn ‘Just as I am’ was come out.

Even though she lived for 82 years of age, but never regain her lost of health. She remained in physical suffering. But in turn the suffering gave her inspiration in the word of God. And, 115 of gospel hymns were came out from her own and origin.

She wrote the Hymn with desire that it might aid financially the building of school for the poor children that her own pastor friend was trying to build in Brighton, England. She felt so helpless in her desire to aid the needy, and then fortunately, the Hymn that came out from humbly woman brought more funds to contribute to the building of school. So the Hymn “Just as I am” was published in 1836 in the 2^nd edition of The Invalids Hymn Book.