p. 3 | EDITORIALS by G. B. T.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 27, 1916

EDITORIALS

By G. B. T.

Come Just as We Are

How encouraging the invitation of God to a sinner lost and undone, to come to him just as he is, sinful, weak, and ruined by the fall! All can freely come.

“Just as I am, without one plea But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bid'st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”

Here is where many fail. The known depravity of the natural heart seems to hinder their claiming by faith the promise of the Lord. He bids me come, I know, but I am so unclean; I have made so many mistakes. My good resolutions have been like ropes of sand. When I would do good, evil is present with me; the things that I would I do not, and the things I would not I do. The enemy seems to whisper, God will not accept one so sinful as you are; if you were not so wicked and unfaithful, you could come to him, but he will not accept you as you are. He suggests that you must make yourself better before God will accept you. Before asking the Lord to forgive your sins and strengthen you against temptation, you feel that you must be good for a while, and when you are better than you now are, you will ask him to forgive, and he will accept you in the Beloved.

All this is the suggestion of the enemy. You can never make yourself better than you are. Of yourself you can never do good. None are good, no not one.

An artist wanted a man for a model who would represent the prodigal. One day he met a wretched beggar, and he thought: “That man would represent the prodigal.” He found the beggar ready to sit for his painting if he would pay him. The man appeared on the day appointed, but the artist did not recognize him. He said: “You made an appointment with me.” “No,” responded the artist, “I never saw you before.” “You are mistaken; you did see me, and made an appointment with me.” “No; it must have been some other artist. I have an appointment to meet a beggar here at this hour.” “Well,” said the beggar, “I am the man.” “You the man?” “Yes.” “What have you been doing?” “Well, I thought I would get a new suit of clothes before I got painted.” “Oh,” replied the artist; “I don't want you!”

The Lord does not want us to attempt to dress up. In fact, we have nothing to put on. The best we have is but filthy rags. But Jesus came to seek and to save sinners. He came to save the ungodly. None are too wicked to be saved if they will but come to him. He ever lives to make intercession, and can save to the uttermost. We are not to try to make ourselves more acceptable to God, but come in our sins, come with all our broken vows and lost opportunities. We are to come with the burdens which are crushing our hearts, and ask that they be taken away; ask that the robe of righteousness, woven in heaven's loom, be placed upon us, and our nakedness hidden away. It is the glory of the God whom we worship to forgive all our sins, and encircle us in the arms of his love. In Christ he has already accepted us. He is only waiting for us to accept him by faith, and rejoice in the forgiveness of every sin.

“Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed, Ye restless wanderers after rest; Ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind, In Christ a hearty welcome find.”

“See him set forth before your eyes, That precious, bleeding Sacrifice! His offered benefits embrace, And freely now be saved by grace.”

G. B. T.