Just as I Am

Text: Psalm 51

I.         “Just as I am! Without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, Oh Lamb of God, I come! I come!”

            A.        When each of us come to Christ, we have no argument to offer that we deserve to be saved.

                        1.         We all sin - Romans 3:23

                        2.         And nothing we do can take that sin away from us. We can’t stand before God expecting God to say “Here is a fine person who is just the type of person I want in heaven.”

                        3.         The only reason we are saved is because of God’s grace - Ephesians 2:1-9

            B.        Yet, I frequently run into people who ask, “If I do x, y, and z, do you think that it will be enough for God to save me?”

            C.        Or, “I can’t be a Christian. I’m too deep in sin.”

            D.        The amazing thing is that God isn’t asking perfection from us. He is offering salvation to sinners – to you and I - Romans 5:6-10

            E.        But the song reminds us that we are saved while we are still in our sins. God bids us to come to Him, leaving our sins behind - Isaiah 55:6-7

II.        “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!”

            A.        When God offers salvation, despite our sins, there should be no question or hesitation in accepting the offer - II Corinthians 6:1-2

            B.        My attitude toward my sinful past should be one of disgust. I’m not looking for compromise. Not one sin should I desire to keep - I John 3:4-10

            C.        Thus, Ananias asked a murderer and persecutor of the church, “What are you waiting for?” - Acts 22:16

            D.        Isn’t that the question for each of us? What sin do you really want to keep? When you realize just how horrible you’ve been and God is offering a way out, why stay in the filth?

III.       “Just as I am! Tho’ tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, with fears within and foes without, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!”

            A.        While the choice is obvious, it doesn’t mean the choice is always easy.

            B.        There are going to be problems:

                        1.         Sin’s allure remains. Satan is going to keep trying to pull me back in - I Peter 5:6-10

                                    a.         Can I keep my commitment? Am I strong enough?

                                    b.         If it was just me, perhaps not. But knowing God is at my side? That makes all the difference!

                        2.         When striking out on a new path, there are doubts and uncertainties regarding what will be expected of me, but God is there to guide - Psalms 73:21-28

                        3.         The problems are not limited to internal concerns. Many who want to become Christians face pressures from family and friends - Matthew 10:34-37

                                    a.         I’ve seen relationship decay because one partner decides to improve himself and the other doesn’t understand.

                                    b.         She is comfortable with the old person, even if she doesn’t like what he does.

                        4.         There may even be pressure from the wicked - Psalms 31:9-16

IV.      “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!”

            A.        We need to understand our true state. Like the Laodiceans, we are probably not in as good of shape as we might think - Revelation 3:17

            B.        We also need to understand that we are not going to improve on our own either - Revelation 3:18

            C.        Too many delay becoming a Christian until they get their life in order; thus, missing the whole point. It is through Christ that order comes into our lives.

V.        “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!”

            A.        The point is that God wants you, broken as you may be, not to stay broken, but so that He can repair your life - Psalms 51:15-17

            B.        God heals. God saves - Jeremiah 17:14

            C.        What God promises, He keeps - Hebrews 6:16-20

            D.        His calling is irrevocable - Romans 11:29-31

VI.      “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! I come!”

            A.        It did not start with our desire for God. It started with God’s love for us - I John 4:16-19

            B.        2,000 years ago - long before you or anyone you’ve known were born, God sent His Son to die on your behalf that you might be restored from your sins

            C.        The offer stands, solid as the rock who offers it, but will you accept the offer?

                        1.         God is not going to make anyone take His gift, though He desires to bestow it to everyone. He insists that you choose.

                        2.         And the choice for God is one you’ll never regret

                        3.         Will you listen to the call, recorded ages past in the Bible?

                        4.         Will you trust God with your life?

                        5.         Will you confess you belief in Jesus, who died on your behalf?

                        6.         Will you change your life, repenting of sin and follow the Spirit?

                        7.         Will you be buried in the watery grave to start a new life?

            D.        That choice has been left to you to make. God has done all the hard work.