Come as You Are

By Iris Nelson May 9, 2016 Devotion

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV)

One of my favorite hymns is “Come Ye Sinners”. Coming from Germany, I had never heard the hymn until I went to a Beth Moore conference in Phoenix. I just remember that I sat there with tears running down my face. I think that it was the first time that I started to understand God’s grace and mercy.

Often times people think that they need to clean up before they are accepted by God to receive His grace. But that is the total opposite how it works. We are not the ones that need to bring the
sacrifice; God is the One who did that for us by bringing Jesus into the world.

You see, we don’t have to wear certain clothes, or speak a certain language, or even do the right things in order to receive God’s grace. God’s grace is a free gift for everyone how is ready to open it.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV)

In the 6 verses of Ephesians, Paul uses the word grace three times. And what does grace mean:
The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners.

My friend, if you do not know about God’s amazing grace, I urge you to read His Word for yourself. Even if you don’t have a Bible in your home, there are many online Bibles that you can read or search. The only thing that is needed is an open heart to receive His free gift. Come as you are…

Lord of Heaven and Earth; thank You for Your amazing gift of grace. Thank You that we don’t have to be clean in order to receive Your mercy. Your Holy Spirit will clean us from the inside out. Lord, may You open the hearts of the people who are ready to receive Your free gift. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen!