Charlotte Elliott's personal struggle with sin and her subsequent conversion led to the writing of the hymn "Just as I Am." After initially rejecting her pastor's counsel to attend a dance, she experienced deep conviction and wretchedness, realizing her unhappiness stemmed from being far from God. Her pastor assured her that salvation comes through faith in Christ's finished work, not by her own deeds. She then surrendered her life to Christ, finding peace and joy, and penned the hymn that beautifully expresses the gospel of coming to God just as one is. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that Christ brings those who were once far away near to Him through His blood, offering transformation and everlasting life to all who are willing to come.
Restored with Diffio
Audio restored with Diffio. Diffio processed the original archive recording to reduce noise and produce a cleaner listening version; the original stays available.
Speech quality score (model-estimated, SCOREQ): before 2.53 → restored 4.69
Good morning, everyone. How are you today? It's time again for Moments of Melody. A young girl was preparing to attend a dance. On her way to her dressmaker, to have the fine gown made for the occasion, she met her pastor. Upon learning the purpose of her errand, he pleaded with her not to go, and spoke to her about receiving Christ. She became very angry at this and said, I wish you would mind your own business. When the dance was held, this young lady was among the gayest of all who attended.
She was flattered by her admirers and danced until the wee hours of the morning. However, when she lay her weary head on her pillow, she found no rest, for she was far from happy. The sweet words of admonition by her pastor had pricked her conscience, and deep conviction had made her extremely wretched. For three days she struggled with her load of sin until life itself seemed to be almost intolerable. Finally she went to her pastor and asked his forgiveness, which he readily gave. And then she cried, Now I want to be a Christian. What must I do? My child, give yourself to the Lamb of God, just as you are.
Just as I am, she asked. I'm one of the worst sinners in the world. How can God accept me just as I am? The pastor assured her that it was not by works of righteousness, but by faith in the one who said it is finished that she could ever hope to find peace. She went home, knelt down, and after a struggle, gave her heart to Christ, guilty and vile as it was, for cleansing in his precious blood. Peace and joy filled her soul to overflowing. Taking up a pen, she wrote the now immortal hymn, Just as I am without one plea.
Charlotte Elliott little dreamed of the fame of the words that she had written would attain. She had transcribed the truth of the gospel in the language of her own heart. Now let's listen to that hymn that she wrote some years ago. 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. And now we continue reading from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it. It is God himself who has made us what we are, and given us new lives from Jesus Christ, lives which he planned out for us long ages ago to spend in helping others. Never forget that once you were heathen, and that you were called godless and unclean by the Jews, but their hearts too are still unclean. even though they were going through the ceremonies and rituals of the godly, for they circumcised themselves as a sign of godliness.
Remember that in those days you were living utterly apart from Christ. You were enemies of God's children. He has promised, and He had promised you no help. You were without God without hope. But now you belong to Jesus Christ. And though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought very near to Him because of what Jesus Christ has done for you with His blood. Are you willing to come to Christ just as you are?
If you're willing, He'll change your life. He'll take away your sin, give you new life, everlasting life.