Just As I Am

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

-- Words from The Cyber Hymnal

Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871) wrote Just As I Am, Without One Plea in 1935 following an encounter with a man who asked her if she was a Christian. Initially she took great offense and told him it was none of his business. After some reflection, she asked this man how she might go about finding Christ. His answer was to come as you are. The man is not identified in the Wikipedia article, but The Cyber Hymnal identifies him as Cé­sar Ma­lan, who was not only a minister, but a hymn writer and composer. The hymn tune that comes to mind is Hendon, which is used for Take My Life And Let It Be Consecrated, Lord, To Thee.

Not long after this encounter she wrote this hymn, which has been a staple of hymnals across the Protestant spectrum.