You’re free to come just as you are

Last week I addressed the concept that we are perfect just the way we are. God made us individual works of art, which He declared wonderful. I want to expand on and then reinforce that today.

As part of the Wednesday night Bible study on relationships, my pastor has been emphasizing that through Christ, I am free to be who I am and you are free to be who you are.

Furthermore, if my faith in Christ — my belief that his grace covers me and I am forgiven of my sins (John 3:16, 1 John 1:9) — serves as the source of my inner satisfaction, then I don’t have to depend on others for my happiness.

Because I am confident Christ is at work in me (Philippians 1:6), I am free to be me. I don’t have to worry about what others think or fret about performing, pretending or hiding to meet their expectations.

God’s grace allows me to love others unconditionally where they are at — just as He has done for me. He accepts me as I am. By the same token, I can accept and love others as they are, and let them live their lives as they choose. (John 13:34, 1 John 4)

I am responsible for me alone; my behavior, my actions, my choices and the consequences that follow. I cannot force or fix another person, nor can I be coerced to fix anyone else’s problems. Every human being has to face life and the Lord on his or her own terms.

Billy Graham always used the hymn “Just As I Am” at the end of each crusade. The words still strike a chord in me, even though they were penned in 1835:

“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.”

Realize that you don’t have to prove anything to God, to yourself or to anyone else. Christ already paid the price for you, as He said in John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life (inner satisfaction) and have it to the full.” You are free to come as you are. He loves you without restriction or condition.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God!” — 1 John 3:1

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