Few hymns in the history of Christian worship have moved as many hearts or prompted as many decisions of faith as Just As I Am. Written in 1835 by Charlotte Elliott, this beloved hymn has stood the test of time, appearing in hymnals across denominational lines and echoing through revival tents, church sanctuaries, and personal quiet times for nearly two centuries.
The Story Behind the Hymn
Charlotte Elliott was an English poet and hymnist who wrote Just As I Am during a period of deep personal struggle. Suffering from poor health and feeling spiritually restless, she wrestled with whether she was worthy enough to come to God. It was the encouragement of Swiss evangelist César Malan that led her to the life-changing realization: she could come to Christ exactly as she was — not after cleaning up her life, not after earning worthiness, but just as she was.
That moment of surrender became the seed of one of the most powerful invitational hymns ever penned. Elliott wrote the words as a reminder — first to herself, then to the world — that God’s grace meets us where we are.
The Lyrics and Their Meaning
Each verse of the hymn builds on the theme of coming to God with nothing held back. The opening verse arrives without excuse, relying solely on Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Subsequent verses address coming with doubt and fear, a burdened soul, blindness and poverty of spirit, and finally — full yielding and surrender.
The repeated refrain, O Lamb of God, I come!, is both a cry and a confidence — the voice of a soul that has stopped striving and started trusting.
Its Role in Christian History
Perhaps no figure is more associated with Just As I Am than the late evangelist Billy Graham. For decades, this hymn was sung at the close of every Billy Graham Crusade as thousands of people responded to the gospel invitation. The hymn became synonymous with the moment of decision — that sacred space between conviction and commitment.
Countless testimonies have been shared by people who found faith while this hymn played in the background. It has accompanied altar calls in small rural churches and stadium-sized evangelistic events alike. Its message transcends culture, background, and era.
Why This Hymn Still Matters Today
In an age of performance and self-improvement, Just As I Am is a radical countercultural statement. It reminds us that God does not require us to fix ourselves before coming to Him. The gospel is not a reward for the righteous — it is a rescue for the broken.
At Victory Baptist Church in Carthage, we treasure hymns like this one because they carry deep theological truth in memorable, singable form. They connect us to generations of believers who came before us and anchor us in the unchanging Word of God.
Whether you are hearing this hymn for the first time or the hundredth, the invitation remains the same: Come. Just as you are. God’s grace is greater than your failures, His mercy wider than your doubts, and His love deeper than your shame.
Sing It, Pray It, Live It
Take time this week to sing or read through Just As I Am slowly and prayerfully. Let each verse be a prayer. Let the refrain be your response. If you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ, this hymn is an open door — a personal invitation from a God who loves you unconditionally.
And if you are a longtime believer who has grown weary or distant, let these words call you back to the simplicity of the cross: just as I am, Thy love unknown has broken every barrier down — now to be Thine, yea Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come.
We would love to worship alongside you. Join us at Victory Baptist Church in Carthage for our Sunday services and experience the joy of congregational hymn singing together.
Next to John 3:16, Revelation 3:20 is perhaps the most famous evangelistic passage in the New Testament. It has been described as the simplest explanation of the plan of salvation in the Word of God. In this sermon, we explore the profound invitation of Jesus Christ to every individual.
Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace
from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who
are before His throne,
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead
and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from
our sins in His own blood,
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day …
Revelation 1:18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.
Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Revelation 2:8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says
the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Next to John 3:16, — Revelation 3:20 is perhaps the most famous evangelistic
passage of Scripture in the New Testament
This verse of Scripture has been described as “the simplest explanation of the plan
of salvation contained within the Word of God.”
1. WHOSE STANDING AT THE DOOR?
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door …
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
2. WHAT DOES THE DOOR REPRESENT?
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock ….
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (CJB) Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of
life’s consequences.
Proverbs 4:23 (GNT) Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.
There is an old hymn that includes these lines:
Somebody’s knocking at your door
Sounds like Jesus
Oh sinner why don’t you answer
Somebody’s knocking at your door.”
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God, to those who believe in His name:
3. WHO CAN LET HIM COME IN?
Revelation 3:20 “… If anyone … ”
Unbelief is never neutral
Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me …”
Matthew 13:58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Mark 6:5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a
few sick people and healed them.
Mark 6:6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages
in a circuit, teaching.
Mark 8:18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do
you not remember?
Someone said, “We repeated the words without thinking about what they meant.”
4. HOW DOES HE SEEK ENTRANCE INTO OUR DOOR?
Revelation 2:20 “… If anyone hears My voice and opens the door…”
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rita Coolidge said, “Too often the opportunity knocks, but by the time you disengage
the chain, push back the bolt, unhooked the two locks and shut off the burglar
alarms, it is too late.”
5. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I OPEN THE DOOR?
Revelation 3:20 “… I will come in to him,…”
The Christian life is defined as, “I in Christ and Christ in me.”
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live
by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Revelation 2:20 “… I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
With the Lord’s supper we dine with Him in remembrance of His sacrifice for us.
6. WILL WE HAVE TO OVERCOME OPPOSITION?
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
7. WHY DON’T YOU LET HIM COME IN?
Revelation 3:22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.'”
The “Hymn” “The Savior is Waiting” includes these lines:
The Savior is waiting to enter your heart
Why don’t you let Him come in
There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart
What is your answer to Him
Time after time He has waited before
And now He is waiting again
To see if you’re willing to open the door
Oh how He wants to come in
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, …
Pastor Ed Hamilton delivers a powerful message titled “It’s A Big Deal” that explores the parallels between current world events and biblical prophecy. Drawing from Genesis 6 and contemporary examples, Hamilton emphasizes the pervasiveness of violence and corruption in our world, likening it to the days of Noah. He delves into the nature of sin, its consuming and controlling power, and its continual presence in human hearts. The sermon also touches on the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, the evil presence of sin, and how history tends to repeat itself. Hamilton concludes by reminding the congregation that while evil may seem to prevail, God’s plans stand firm forever, offering hope and perspective in turbulent times.
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Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with
violence.
Genesis 6:12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh
had corrupted their way on the earth.
Genesis 6:13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the
earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Psalm 11:5 The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves
violence His soul hates.
Proverbs 13:2 ” … The soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin said at the funeral eulogy for her son Hersh on Sept. 1, 2024
“I have had a lot of time during the past 332 days to think about my sweet boy
Hersh. And one thing I keep thinking about is how, out of all the mothers in the
whole entire world, God chose to give Hersh to me. What must have I done in a
past life to deserve such a beautiful gift? It must’ve been glorious.
Hersh and I once watched some documentaries a couple of years ago together
about young people who had died and he commented:
‘How come everyone
who dies young is always said to be the funniest, the smartest, the greatest,
the handsomest? Why doesn’t anyone ever say ‘I liked Max, but you know
what, he was pretty stupid, his sense of humor was off, and he had bad breath’.’
I am honest, and I’d say, it’s not that Hersh was perfect, but he was the perfect
son for me, and I am so grateful to God and I want to thank God, right now, in
front of all of you, for giving me this magnificent present of my Hersh. For 23 years,
I was privileged to have the most stunning honor to be Hersh’s mama. I’ll take it
and say thank you. I just wish it had been for longer.
Hersh, for all these months, I’ve been in such torment and worried about you for
every millisecond of every single day. It was such a specific type of misery that
I never experienced before. I tried hard to surpass the missing you part because
that, I was convinced, would break me. So I spent 330 days terrified, scared,
worrying, and frightened. It closed my throat and my soul throbbed with 3rd degree
burns.
Amidst the inexplicable agony, terror, anguish, desperation, and fear, we became
absolutely certain that you were coming home to us alive, when it was not to be.
Now I no longer have to worry about you, I know you are no longer in danger.
But now my worry shifts to, … How do we live the rest of our lives without you?
I pray that your death will be a turning point in this horrible situation in which
we are all entangled.
You each and every single one of you did every single thing right to survive 329 days
in what I’m pretty sure can only be described as hell. I send each of the families
my deepest sympathies for what we are all going through and for the sickening
feeling that we all could not save them. I think we all did every single thing we could.
And Hersh there is one last thing I need you to do for us. Now I need you to help us
stay strong and I need you to help us survive.”
Matthew 2:18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great
mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they
are no more.”
John 8:44 He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because
there is no truth in him …
I. IT’S A BIG DEAL SEEING BIBLE PROPHECY FULFILLED.
Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with
violence.
Genesis 6:12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh
had corrupted their way on the earth.
Genesis 6:13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the
earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Psalm 11:5 The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves
violence His soul hates.
Proverbs 13:2 ” … The soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
The Hebrew word Hamas is defined as “violence, violently dealing in taking away,
ruthlessness, fierceness, cruel hatred, to lay waste, to think up devise mistreatment
to wrongfully imagine.
Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith said (quote)
October 7th…became the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust…
The world watched then, it knew, and the world did nothing. We will not stand by
and do nothing again. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. How fitting it is that in
Spanish the word “hamas” has an entirely different meaning. It means: “never again.”
II. IT’S A BIG DEAL UNDERSTANDING SIN’S EVIL PRESENCE.
Genesis 6:5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,
and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
1. SIN IS CONSUMING.
Genesis 6:5 “… EVERY intent… ”
Our mind is depraved and reprobate
The Bible says we are blind, we have eyes but we don’t see
The Bible says we are deaf, we have ears but we don’t hear
Our ears are deaf to God’s voice and truth,
What comes out of our mouths is as foul as a rotting corpse;
Our mouths are full of cursing and bitternes
We open our mouths and we pollute the air.
Our tongues are filled with lies.
Snake venom drips from our lips.
The Bible says our hearts are desperately wicked, we have the hands of the wicked
and our feet are swift to shed innocent blood.
2. SIN IS CONTROLLING.
Genesis 6:5 ” ….Every intent of the thoughts of his heart was ONLY evil …”
3. SIN IS CONTINUAL.
Genesis 6:5 ” … the thoughts of his heart was only evil CONTINUALLY.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
III. IT’S A BIG DEAL KNOWING HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son
of Man be.
Matthew 24:38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
Matthew 24:39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away,
so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
What are the marks of the “days of Noah?”
1) The world did not get better then so it is not going to get better now
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving
2) People were living as if it was business as usual then and now.
3) A world filled with violence then and now.
4) The minority of believers like Noah were standing alone against the majority of
the unbelieving world then and now..
5) The world was and still is completely unprepared for the coming judgment.
Psalm 33:11 “The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart
through all generations”.
Join us as we dive deep into the book of Malachi, exploring the profound questions posed to God and His revealing responses. Discover how these ancient dialogues are still relevant today, reminding us of God’s unwavering love and our relationship with Him.
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Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
Malachi 1:2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have
You loved us?’
Malachi 1:2 “… You say, ‘In what way have You loved us?
Malachi 1:6 “… Where is My honor? Where is My reverence? You say, “In what way
have we despised Your name?’
‘Malachi 1:7 “… In what way have we defiled You?
Malachi 1:13 “…Should I accept this from your hand?
Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the Lord with your words;Yet you say, “In what way
have we wearied Him?”
Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? But you say, “In what way have we robbed You?
Malachi 3:13 “… What have we spoken against You?’
This is not what God has said, this is what God is still saying.
I. GOD’S LOVE BURDENED.
Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I send My messenger, …
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Mark 2:3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.
Mark 2:4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered
the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on
which the paralytic was lying.
Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins
are forgiven you.”
Didn’t someone believe for you before you believed?
Didn’t someone pray for us before we knew to pray for ourselves?
Every person’s salvation begins with the burden, interest and influence of another.
II. GOD’S LOVE ANNOUNCED.
Malachi 1:2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.”
Malachi 1:6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father,
Where is My honor?
Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one Father?
III. GOD’S LOVE DOUBTED.
Malachi 1:2 “… Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’
Catergory #1. We Must Take The Good With The Bad.
Job 2:10 (NLT) Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never
anything bad?”
Catergory #2. Right Place, Right Time, Wrong Place, Wrong Time.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned and saw under the sun that–
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.
Catergory #3. Be Ready: It Could Happen To You.
Luke 13:4 (NLT) And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in
Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?
Luke 13:5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”
Catergory #4. Don’t Worry, It’s None Of Your Business.
John 21:18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you
liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go.
But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and
take you where you don’t want to go.”
John 21:19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify
God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
John 21:20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—
the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will
betray you?”
John 21:21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
John 21:22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to
you? As for you, follow me.
Catergory #5. God Is Not Obligated To Explain Himself To Us.
Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter…”
Isaiah 45:15 ” Truly you are a God who hides Himself.”
Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,”
says the Lord.
Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher
than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Romans 11:33 “… How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
Psalm 139:2 “… You know my thoughts even when I’m far away
Psalm 139:3 “… You know everything I do.”
Psalm 139:4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save
He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Notes:
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant
in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may
know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
Colossians 4:9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin
of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
Colossians 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers
for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a
comfort to me.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you,
always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and
complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those
who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
Colossians 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and
the church that is in his house.
Colossians 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also
in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have
received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Colossians 4:18 This salutation by my own hand–Paul. Remember my chains.
Grace be with you. Amen.
1) Tychicus — The Friend with a Servant’s Heart.
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant
in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:7 “… fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may
know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
2) Onesimus is the Friend with the Sinful Past.
Colossians 4:9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ignatius, who is a pastor of the Smyrna church, wrote in his epistle to the
Ephesians these words at the beginning of his letter:
“I received therefore, your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus,
a man of inexpressible love, and your bishop in the flesh whom I pray you by
Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. And blessed be
He who has granted unto you, being worthy, to obtain such an excellent bishop.”
Ignatius in his epistle to the Antiochians writes in his benediction:
“Onesimus, the pastor of the Ephesians salutes you.”
3) Aristarchus: The Friend with a Sympathetic Heart.
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin
of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
It’s been said, “Your true friends are the ones who are walking in when
everyone esle is walking out.”
Gal 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
4) Mark — The Friend with the Surprising Future.
Colossians 4:10 “… with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received
instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ”
Acts 13:13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga
in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
Acts 15:37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
Acts 15:38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had
departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
Acts 15:39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another.
And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
Acts 15:40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren
to the grace of God.
2 Timothy 4:11 “… Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for
ministry.”
5) Jesus aka Justus — The Friend with the Strong Commitment.
Colossians 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers
for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a
comfort to me.
Colossians 4:11 “… they have proved to be a comfort to me.”
Matthew 25:36 ” … I was in prison and you came to Me.’
Hebrews 13:3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them–those who are
mistreated–since you yourselves are in the body also.
Colossians 4:18 This salutation by my own hand–Paul. Remember my chains.
