Just as I am? "Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!" This line from an old hymn celebrates God’s unconditional acceptance of sinners. It’s a line our society is singing anew today — but with a twist. In its original setting, "Just as I am" spoke of God’s call to seek His mercy even in the filth of our sins. We need not and cannot cleanse ourselves before seeking cleansing in Christ.In another sense, the Rev. Martin Luther King — whose birthday we recently observed — stirred men’s hearts with a call for mutual acceptance of our neighbor as one made in the image of God — not as a lesser being because of the color of his skin.But today, the call for acceptance has extended in new directions. Today folks demand acceptance of their homosexuality, "trans-gender identity," and adultery. They demand that we not question excessive drinking, permissive parenting, or questionable business practices. Rather than counsel or judgment, they expect tolerance, inclusion, and affirmation of their lifestyle choices. To dissent, they say, is to trample underfoot the reforms of the civil rights movement.But they’re wrong. King’s glorious message was the Biblical truth that there is no true difference between folk of African, European or Asian descent. From the dust all are formed, and each stands as a living image of his Creator. But this new movement demands denial of the Bible’s truth. When Christ calls men and women to seek rest in him, he does indeed call sinners to come "just as I am, without one plea." Yet by God’s grace, he doesn’t let us remain as we are. God sent his son because, in our sins, we are lost — naturally rebellious, alienated from him, utterly unable to arise from the sins that enslave us. And he does more than forgive. He also calls us to radical change — turning from the sins that held us fast and embracing the holiness of Jesus himself. And if God calls something evil — like greed, lust, hatred, or theft — we are to flee it. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God?" Paul asks. Then, having listed a number of sins, he continues: "Such were some of you! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9,11). In Christ, we were delivered from our enslavement to sin!"We know that our old self was crucified with [Jesus] in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. … Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Jesus Christ" (Rom.6:6,11). What a glorious calling is ours in Christ – who accepts us "just as I am," and then calls us to become just as He is!