Just As I Am
I grew up often singing this hymn during invitations where individuals where asked to come forward to do spiritual business with God. Beginning in verse one and singing all four verses, people had time to get forward and time to reflect on their own heart. This week while talking with Mrs Mary Ann Piatt about this series, she said she remembered the day she finally surrendered to God. She said this song was the one being sung that day, and for her, it has been a favorite ever since. Probably her story could be duplicated many many times for countless Christians all over the world.
A personal memory I had with this song was from watching a Billy Graham crusade. As the choir and Cliff Barrow began to lead this hymn and Billy Graham stood praying or pleading for people to come forward. Billy Graham converted to Christianity in 1934 in a revival meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, led by evangelist Mordecai Ham hearing the altar call song “Just As I Am”. This song became an altar call song in the Billy Graham crusades in the latter half of the twentieth century. Graham used the title of the hymn as the title of his 1997 book – Just As I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham. You will enjoy some video footage of this below.
Below you will find the lyrics, read a bit about the theology of the hymn, the story of the author, and be able to hear several renditions of this old, beautiful hymn. Sing along, if you like, and rejoice in the opportunity to join in with Just As I Am.
Just As I Am Lyrics
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, 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, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
The Theology
This great hymn has welcomed many a soul to get right with God. Often used in the invitation of a church service, many have been invited to come forward or to do work with God in their heart while singing this song. The song reminds us of the blood shed for us, the pardon we can receive, the relief of the Gospel, the capacity of the Bible to cleanse us, and the beauty of the Lamb of God.
We are bid to come to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. We come without anything but an invitation. With our doubts and a simple plea, we come. As an individual, just as I am.
The Author
Charlotte Elliott, author
Charlotte Elliott (March 18, 1789 – Sept 22, 1871) lived a very simple life as a pastor’s granddaughter and single lady in just two locations where she was an active member of the church. To her acquaintance with Dr. C. Malan, of Geneva, is attributed much of the deep spiritual-mindedness which is so prominent in her hymns. Though weak and feeble in body, she possessed a strong imagination, and a well-cultured and intellectual mind. Her love of poetry and music was great, and is reflected in her verse. Her hymns number about 150, a large percentage of which are in common use. The finest and most widely known of these is, “Just as I am.” Her verse is characterized by tenderness of feeling, plaintive simplicity, deep devotion, and perfect rhythm. For those in sickness and sorrow she has sung as few others have done. Her hymns originally appeared in a hymnal published by her brother. [2]
Enjoy This Media
Some groups singing the song from YouTube:
You will want to hear this sweet testimony of Cliff Barrows and a story with Billy Graham and Just As I Am.
Here is another video of Just As I Am through the years.
Congregational singing.
Here is one of the earliest published copies I could find although under a different title from The American Vocalist, song #309 from 1849 [4]:
Here is a more modern version from my childhood hymnbook Favorite Hymns of Praise #62 [6]:
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