Where in the Bible does it say 'come as you are'?

The phrase "come as you are" is often used in Christian circles to convey the idea that God accepts us in our current state, no matter our flaws, sins, or shortcomings. While the exact phrase "come as you are" does not appear in the Bible, the concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the overarching message of the New Testament.

One of the most poignant passages that encapsulate this idea is found in Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus extends a heartfelt invitation to all who are weary and burdened:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)

In this passage, Jesus is addressing those who are struggling under the weight of life's burdens, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. He does not set conditions or prerequisites for those who come to Him. Instead, He offers rest and relief to anyone who is willing to come. This invitation is open and inclusive, emphasizing the grace and mercy of Christ.

Another significant example can be found in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). In this parable, a young man squanders his inheritance on reckless living and eventually finds himself destitute. When he decides to return to his father, he does so with a repentant heart but in a state of utter brokenness. The father's reaction is one of unconditional love and acceptance:

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20, NIV)

The father does not wait for the son to clean himself up or prove his worthiness. He embraces him as he is, symbolizing God's readiness to accept us despite our past mistakes and current state.

The Gospel of John also presents a powerful narrative that supports this concept in the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). The religious leaders bring the woman to Jesus, seeking to trap Him by asking whether she should be stoned according to the Law of Moses. Jesus responds with profound wisdom and compassion:

"When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, 'Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.' Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' 'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" (John 8:7-11, NIV)

Jesus does not condemn the woman. Instead, He offers her grace and a new beginning, encouraging her to leave her life of sin. This encounter demonstrates that Jesus' acceptance is not contingent upon our righteousness but upon His grace.

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his epistles. In Romans 5:8, he writes:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)

Paul emphasizes that God's love and Jesus' sacrifice were given while we were still in our sinful state. This underscores the idea that we do not need to be perfect or righteous to come to God; He meets us where we are.

Moreover, in Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul explains that salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through our own efforts:

"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." (NIV)

This passage reinforces the idea that we come to God as we are, relying on His grace rather than our own merit.

Christian literature also reflects this theme. C.S. Lewis, in his book "Mere Christianity," writes about the transformative power of God's grace and how it meets us in our imperfection:

"The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says 'Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down.'"

Lewis emphasizes that God's call is total and all-encompassing, but it begins with us coming to Him as we are, with all our flaws and failures.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly contain the phrase "come as you are," the concept is deeply ingrained in the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament. Through various passages and parables, the message is clear: God invites us to come to Him in our brokenness, weariness, and sinfulness. His grace is sufficient, and His love is unconditional. This invitation is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, offering hope and solace to all who seek it.