GOD WILL ACCEPT YOU JUST AS YOU ARE, BUT...

Certain things are sure, two of which are death and taxes; both of which we try to avoid as much as possible! Eventually though, we must succumb to both. Heb 9:27 reads “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” KJV.  The Bible teaches that after the death of the body, the soul must stand before God and give an account. “ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”  2 Cor 5:10 KJV. While the Tax Man may claim what’s left, God lays claim to that which remains.
            Interesting then, are the ideas that some folks have about coming to faith in Christ. The one says, “ I am unworthy because I am too great a sinner.” Another thinks, “I have no need of a Savior, because I am no worse than most others; I am not so bad that God would not allow me into Heaven.” Still another believes in the idea that if their good deeds outweigh the bad, surely there is some place for them.
            There is no need for this confusion, for Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” KJV. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people and that preparation is made possible only through faith in Christ’s work on the cross of Calvary. It is by what He has done, not by what we may do (See Ephesians 2:8-9).
            So, for those who think they are too bad, not so bad, or just good enough, Jesus says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” KJV. This puts us all in the same proverbial boat, a boat that is quickly taking on water!  The Good News is that Jesus also said, “…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37 KJV. There is no need to “clean up your act” or to “stop sinning” before you can come to Christ by faith. Because He loves you, you may come to Him just as you are…but know also, that He loves you far too much to leave you as He finds you. He will continue His work in you, making you a ‘new creation’ (2Cor 5:17) and He “which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” KJV
 
            Perhaps one of the most used songs in Christian history was written by bedridden Charlotte Elliot. She was led to faith in Christ by a family friend who said to her, “Come to Christ just as you are…” Years later, she asked God to make her useful even though she was an invalid. From the text of John 6:37, “And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”  she was inspired to pen the words to Just As I Am. Come to Him just as you are, and He will not leave you the same!