“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18)

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

In my early thirties, I felt uncertain about how to support addicts and their families. To gain a better understanding of addiction, I attended Al-Anon meetings, which focus on aiding families of addicts, for about six months. I also began attending weekly AA meetings held in the church basement.

The insights I gained from the 12 steps were more practical, concrete, and spiritually profound than what I had learned in seminary or church. Upon reflection, I realized that we are all captive to our egos, a concept the Bible refers to as sin.

In this context, the hymn "Just As I Am" symbolizes the initial spiritual step toward overcoming addiction or sin. Although many sing this hymn, few grasp the challenging journey it represents. Whenever I sing this hymn, I am reminded of the first three steps of the Twelve Steps: admitting powerlessness over alcohol (sin), believing in a higher power (God) for restoration, and surrendering one's will to God.

"Just As I Am" was penned by Charlotte Elliot in 1835. It has been used as a call to the altar in countless services. Facing illness and depression in her early thirties, Charlotte was visited by preacher Cesar Malan, who asked if she had peace with God. Despite her inner struggles, Malan's response, "Come just as you are," led Charlotte to give her life to Christ that day. Years later, at age 45, she remembered those words and wrote the seven verses of "Just As I Am" in 1834.

During a stadium gathering, Billy Graham delivered a powerful message of the gospel and invited people to respond. Hundreds stepped forward to accept Christ. Many Christians don’t know that this is just beginning stage of our spiritual journey. When we sing this song, we're recognizing the start of our journey with Jesus, with nine more spiritual steps awaiting us.

“Christians are usually sincere and well-intentioned people until you get to any real issues of ego, control power, money, pleasure, and security. Then they tend to be pretty much like everybody else. The spiritual disaster of "Christian" countries tends to be as consumer-oriented, proud, warlike, racist, class conscious, and addictive as everybody else-and often more so, I'm afraid.” “As any good therapist will tell you, you cannot heal what you do not acknowledge, and what you do not consciously acknowledge will remain in control of you from within, festering and destroying you and those around you.” (Richard Rohr, Breathing Underwater)

Pastor Seok-Hwan

REFLECTION AND PRAYER:

Just as I am

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!

Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot;

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubt;

Fightings within, and fears without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

Sight, riches, healing of the mind;

Yes, all I need, in Thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, Thy love unknown

Has broken every barrier down;

Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Text: Charlotte Elliot

Music: William B. Bradbury