The parable of lost son vividly
portraits the unconditional love of our heavenly Father towards the repentant. The
thief on Jesus’ right side at the cross unlike, the other thief stopped mocking
and humbled himself before Jesus. Jesus the loving Saviour accepted him and guaranteed
Kingdom of Heaven to the repentant that very moment. The humble approach we take to come to Jesus
for forgiveness and salvation was beautifully described in the story behind the
hymn “Just as I am”. It is based upon the words of Jesus found in John 6:37.
It was in London when a great
preacher by the name of Caesar Milan was invited one evening to a very large
and prominent home where a choice musical was to be presented. The musician was Charlotte Elliott born in
Clapham, England, on March 18, 1789. As a young person she had lived a carefree
life, gaining popularity as a portrait artist, musician and writer of humorous
verse. On the program Charlotte thrilled the
audience with her singing and playing. When she finished, this young preacher
threaded his way through the crowd which was gathered around her and asked if she was
a Christian. She considered him rude and unkind, and that his question was
inappropriate. After the man walked
away, Charlotte could not get his question out of her mind so she went to find
the man, and to ask how to become a Christian. That night she received Jesus as
her Lord and Savior. Soon thereafter she wrote “Just As I Am” as a testimony to
her newfound faith, and as a tribute to the man who had told her that she could
come to Christ, “just as she was”.
Dear friends, Christ is our
refuge we can flee to Him at any time and in any condition and He will never
turn anyone away. Let us come to Him “Just as we are” without hesitation. He
will never reject a broken and
repentant heart (Psalm 51: 17). Rejection and despise of repentant would go against His very
nature and everything that He has promised in Scripture! Therefore let us
confidently come to our Saviour God “just as we are”!
Yours in His service
G. Paul Raj
