Counsel of Spiritual Life

Counsel #18 — Come as you are

Picture: Counsel #18 — Come as you are CSL 35.1

Sometimes when we’ve messed up and failed God, we feel unworthy to come to Him. We think we need to stay away from Him until we clean ourselves up and “punish ourselves,” proving we’re repentant for the wrong we’ve done. But Jesus is disappointed when we take that attitude after our failures. We are His! We are in a relationship with Him, even when relapsing into sin! He longs for us to come to Him even while sinful and helpless. He wants to hug us, clean us up, and give us a fresh start in His strength, because we can’t do this on our own—only He can. So don’t wait! Run to Jesus, just as you are—He’s anxiously waiting for you!¹³ CSL 35.2

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” Psalms 103:2-4 NKJV CSL 35.3

“Jesus loves to have us come to Him just as we are, sinful, helpless, and needy. We may come, foolish and weak as we are, and fall at His feet in sorrow for sin. It is His glory to put His arms of love around us, heal our wounds, and make us clean.” Ellen White in Steps to Jesus, p. 50 CSL 35.4

Reflect: What does it mean to "fall at His feet in sorrow for sin"? How is this different from trying to clean yourself up first? CSL 35.5