This month it was relatively easy to choose a "timeless hymn" for my blog. As I remember the ministry of Billy Graham I have many memories of this hymn being sung by George Beverly Shea or the crusade choirs as Billy gave an invitation to the crowds to accept Christ. And I vividly remember watching hundreds respond to the call and have their lives changed by God's power and grace. Billy Graham was saved in 1934 in a revival meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, led by evangelist Mordecai Ham, after hearing the invitation song "Just As I Am". This song later became the invitation song in the Billy Graham crusades. The words were written by Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871), after a time of spiritual conflict during which she questioned the reality of her whole spiritual life. She had convinced herself that at midlife her physical disabilities left her nothing to offer God. Elliott was struck by the words of a minister who asked whether she had truly given her heart to Christ. The question at first bothered Elliot and after some days she told the minister that she wanted to serve God but didn't know how. He replied, "Just come to him as you are." After a night of restlessness she took a pen and paper and set down in writing, for her own comfort, "the formulae of her faith." So in verse she restated to herself the Gospel of pardon, peace and heaven. So out of her spiritual conflict and resolution came the words that have meant so much individually to thousands since that time. The poem was originally used to raise money for a local hospital. It was first published in 1841 and then wedded with its familiar tune in 1849 by William Bradbury. It soon soared in popularity in 19th century evangelical revivals in the U.S. and Great Britain. However, while we normally associate this hymn with coming to Christ to secure salvation, I have come to see it in another light. I recently heard of a pastor who asked that during his final hours of life that this hymn be played over and over for him. Until then I never thought of this being a hymn that should be our testimony as we face eternity. For in those moments we will have nothing else for our plea but what the Lamb of God has done for us. And in our final days and hours we will come to Him with nothing else, nothing that we have done or even could have done to gain His merit. Our only plea as we enter His presence will be His blood that was shed for us.
(1) Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst 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, though 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.
(6) Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Listen to it here. LISTEN
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