My younger daughter loves that I carry her after church service, and I really do enjoy carrying her. But sometimes, her clothes are dirty after much play time, so I would tell her, “Let’s clean your hands and clothes first before I carry you.” There was a day, however, that I simply told her, “Come as you.”
Friend, God is telling you to, “Come as you are.” That is the gospel! Come as you are. Don’t package. Don’t form. Don’t pretend. Don’t try to qualify for His Grace. Christ has qualified you by His death, and this Grace qualifies you for access to God and the blessings that follow (Ephesians 2:12-14). Simply come as you are!
God wants you to come unto Him with all your loads of sins and cares (Matthew 11:28). Rather than waiting to be perfect before you come to Him, He wants to make you perfect; He wants to help you carry your loads and exchange them for His rest.
As a Faithful and Compassionate High Priest, Jesus Christ knows your weakness, and He wants you to tap into His Grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16). Don’t forget that Jesus’ waiting arm is always the place to run to, not a place to run away from. No matter who you are or what you have done, He’s saying, “Come as you are.”
No matter what happens to you, always run to God and not away from Him. Your worst days with God are still better than your best days with the devil. Just the way you wouldn’t have to clean up before you go under the shower, you don’t have to clean up to go to God; He’s the One to clean you up. If Jesus could touch the leper, He would touch you, not minding your impurity (Matthew 8:1-3).
Rest assured that you would not remain as you are. This is the power of the gospel; it is a transforming power (Romans 1:16). It transforms that sinner to a saint, the weak to the strong, the timid to the bold, and the rejected to the celebrated. This power is inherent in our submission to the grace that salvation offers (Titus 2:11). It says, “Come as you are,” but it empowers you to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Amen!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria