The story behind the hymn
Charlotte Elliott was an invalid from her early thirties, and bitter about it. In 1822 the Swiss evangelist Cesar Malan told her she must come to Christ just as she was; the phrase lodged. Twelve years later, left home alone and useless while her family bustled about organising a charity bazaar, she fought a wave of despair by writing down the grounds of her faith — and produced this hymn.
Each stanza begins just as I am and knocks away another excuse: without one plea (no merits), though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt (no composure required), poor, wretched, blind (no assets). The single ground of approach is the invitation itself: but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd'st me come to thee — O Lamb of God, I come.
Her brother, a minister, said at her death: in the course of a long ministry, I hope I have been permitted to see some fruit of my labours; but I feel far more has been done by a single hymn of my sister's. A century later Billy Graham made it the invitation hymn of his crusades, and millions walked forward to it. Its theology is John 6:37 exactly: him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
The lyrics
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.
Just as I am, and waiting notTo 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 aboutWith many a conflict, many a doubt,Fightings and fears within, without,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.
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The Scripture behind it
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
In no wise cast out — the promise the whole hymn leans on.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Behold the Lamb of God — the hymn's addressee.