Feeling like you need to have everything figured out before coming to God? You’re not alone. Many Bible verses remind us that God accepts us as we are, with all our flaws and imperfections. Let’s explore these comforting passages and embrace the grace and love God offers to each of us.
Come as You Are Bible Verses
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
John 6:37
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
God’s Unconditional Love
When we think about coming to God just as we are, the cornerstone of this belief lies in God’s unconditional love for us. The Bible repeatedly underscores the message that God does not require us to be perfect or blemish-free to approach Him. His love is constant, unwavering, and ever-present, irrespective of our flaws and past mistakes.
God’s unconditional love is transformative. It means that we are accepted just as we are, with all our imperfections. This realization liberates us from the shackles of guilt and shame, enabling us to draw closer to God. By embracing God’s unconditional love, we understand that our relationship with Him doesn’t depend on our worthiness but on His boundless grace.
Moreover, God’s love is not based on who we are or what we have done but on who He is. This divine love encourages us to come to God in our raw, unfiltered state, full of our struggles and burdens. His love wraps us in a comforting assurance, providing a sanctuary where we can be our true selves without fear of rejection.
This subtopic explores how God’s unconditional love invites us to come as we are, alongside verses that reveal the depth and breadth of His incredible love.
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This verse shows that God’s love reached out to us even when we were mired in sin. Christ’s sacrifice was not conditional upon our goodness, but on divine love, thereby demonstrating that God welcomes us as we are.
1 John 4:10
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
God’s initiative in loving us underscores the nature of unconditional love. We are not to earn His love but to accept it, which allows us to approach Him freely and openly.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The universality of God’s love, as expressed in this famous verse, affirms that His love is available to all, regardless of their state, inviting us to come as we are to receive eternal life.
1 John 3:1
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
This verse emphasizes the profound nature of God’s love that transforms us into His children. We are accepted into God’s family just as we are, confirming our identity in His love.
Jeremiah 31:3
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'”
God’s everlasting love draws us to Him with kindness and tenderness, encouraging us to come as we are and experience His enduring affection.
Grace and Mercy
Another crucial aspect of coming to God as we are revolves around His grace and mercy. Grace is the unmerited favor that God extends to us. It is by grace that we are saved, not by our works. This divine grace welcomes us to come before God without the need for self-justification or pretense.
Mercy complements grace by offering forgiveness and understanding for our shortcomings. God’s mercy absorbs our failures and missteps, creating a safe haven for us to approach Him. In His mercy, God overlooks our transgressions and extends a hand of compassion, signaling that we are welcome despite our flaws.
By understanding the twin pillars of grace and mercy, we realize that God’s door is always open to us. We are encouraged to approach Him authentically, without masking our imperfections. This revelation liberates us to have a more genuine and profound relationship with our Creator.
This subtopic delves into how God’s grace and mercy provide a secure refuge for us to come as we are, with biblical verses that elucidate this pivotal truth.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
By emphasizing that salvation is a gift of grace, this verse dismisses any notion of earning our way to God. It reassures us that we can come to Him as we are, relying solely on His generosity.
Hebrews 4:16
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
This verse encourages us to approach God confidently to receive His grace and mercy. It confirms that God’s throne is accessible to us regardless of our situation, inviting us to come as we are.
Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
This verse underscores that our salvation is based on God’s mercy, not our deeds. It’s a profound reassurance that we are welcome in God’s presence in our imperfect state.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Here, Paul reveals that God’s grace is sufficient and that His power is perfected in our weakness. It invites us to embrace our weaknesses and come to God as we are, finding strength in His grace.
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
God’s forgiveness is boundless and complete, removing our sins entirely from us. This assurance invites us to come as we are, knowing that our transgressions don’t alienate us from God’s love.
Also Read: 25 Bible Verses About Being A Light (With Commentary)
Invitations from Jesus
Throughout the Gospels, we observe numerous invitations from Jesus that encourage us to come to Him just as we are. Jesus’ ministry was characterized by open arms, offering rest, healing, and salvation to those who approached Him in faith. His invitations cut across social, cultural, and personal barriers, extending grace to all who sought Him.
Jesus’ invitations are profound because they transcend our human limitations and imperfections. He didn’t set prerequisites or conditions for coming to Him. Instead, He welcomed the weary, the burdened, the sinners, and the broken-hearted. Jesus’ call to come to Him is a testament to His inclusive nature and boundless compassion.
Through His invitations, we learn that we are never too far gone or too unworthy to approach Him. These open invitations inspire us to lay down our pretenses and come to Jesus in our authentic state, experiencing His transformative love and grace.
This subtopic explores the various invitations from Jesus, illustrating His open-hearted welcome to all who come to Him as they are.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus extends an open invitation to the weary and burdened, promising rest. This verse encapsulates the essence of coming to Him as we are, finding solace in His presence.
John 6:37
“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”
Jesus assures us that He will never reject anyone who comes to Him. This promise reinforces the welcoming nature of Jesus, inviting us to approach Him without fear of rejection.
Matthew 9:12-13
“On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'”
Jesus likens Himself to a doctor who has come for the sick, not the healthy. This metaphor emphasizes that we can come to Him in our brokenness and sinfulness, and He will offer healing and mercy.
Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Jesus stands at the door of our hearts, inviting us to let Him in. This verse illustrates the personal and relational aspect of Jesus’ invitation, encouraging us to open our lives to Him just as we are.
John 7:37
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.'”
Jesus’ call to the thirsty symbolizes our spiritual needs. He invites us to come to Him to quench our deepest thirsts, signifying that He is ready to meet our needs as we approach Him authentically.
Transformation in Christ
When we come to Christ as we are, we embark on a transformative journey. The Bible assures us that encountering Jesus leads to a profound change within us. This transformation is not simply a surface-level adjustment but a deep, spiritual renewal that affects our core being.
Transformation in Christ is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who works within us to mold us into the likeness of Jesus. This process of sanctification highlights that while we come to God as we are, we don’t remain the same. His love, grace, and mercy initiate a metamorphosis that reshapes our character, attitudes, and actions.
The transformation that Christ brings into our lives is a testimony to His power and role as the Redeemer. It validates the message that none of us are beyond redemption or change. Coming to Christ in our flawed state paves the way for a divine makeover, turning our weaknesses into strengths and our sins into testimonies of grace.
This subtopic elucidates how coming to Christ instigates a transformative process, supported by verses that highlight the change brought about by Him.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
This verse celebrates the new creation that we become in Christ. It reassures us that our old selves are left behind when we come to Him, embracing a renewed identity.
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This verse emphasizes the transformation that occurs in Christ, highlighting the renewal of our minds. It encourages us to seek God’s will, which becomes evident through our transformation.
Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
This passage underscores the process of shedding our old selves and embracing a new identity in Christ. It emphasizes that coming to Christ initiates a transformation towards righteousness and holiness.
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Paul’s declaration of being crucified with Christ signifies the profound change that happens when we come to Him. It’s a testimony of how our lives are transformed by faith in Jesus.
Colossians 3:9-10
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
This verse highlights the ongoing renewal in Christ, encouraging us to discard our old ways and embrace our new, transformed selves.
Restoration and Healing
In coming to God as we are, we find a source of restoration and healing. The Bible is rich with narratives of individuals who approached God in their brokenness and were restored by His power. This restoration isn’t limited to physical healing but extends to emotional, mental, and spiritual rejuvenation.
God’s restorative work signifies that no condition is too dire for His intervention. It highlights His role as the Great Healer, who mends our wounds and rejuvenates our spirits. This assurance of healing and restoration beckons us to approach Him openly, surrendering our broken parts to His capable hands.
Understanding God’s promise of restoration emboldens us to come to Him vulnerably. It wipes away the fear of judgment, replacing it with the assurance of being made whole. God’s healing power transforms our scars into testimonies, redefining our narratives from brokenness to wholeness.
This subtopic delves into how God’s promise of restoration and healing invites us to come to Him as we are, with scripture that underscores this divine assurance.
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
This verse emphasizes God’s tender care for the brokenhearted, assuring us that He is the healer of our wounds. It invites us to come to Him with our brokenness to experience His restorative touch.
Jeremiah 30:17
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’
God’s promise of restoration and healing, even to those considered outcasts, underscores His inclusive nature. It beckons us to come to Him with our afflictions, assured of His healing.
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
This prophetic verse reveals God’s mission of healing and restoration. It encourages us to come to Him in our despair, knowing that His anointing brings liberty and healing.
Matthew 8:16-17
“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.'”
Jesus’ healing ministry fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah, demonstrating His power over infirmities. It reassures us that we can come to Him for healing in any condition.
James 5:14-15
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
The call for communal prayer for the sick underscores the belief in God’s healing power. It assures us that through faith and prayer, healing and forgiveness are available to all who come to Him.