Where He Is As He Is

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
 
The Good Samaritan as he journeyed came to the man who had fallen among thieves-just where he was. So Jesus, the Savior of sinners, comes to sinners just where we are. He asks no one to do better-to feel better-to be better. He asks none to give up this sin or that sin, to love God or their neighbor.
We need life, for we are dead in sin, and He gives us life: “The Son of Man [was]...lifted up [on the cross], that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)).
We need to be forgiven. Our sins are against us, and we are guilty. He offers us a full, free forgiveness: “Through this Man [Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38-3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)).
We need our conscience and heart to be set at rest, for we feel guilty, miserable and wounded. He heals us perfectly and permanently: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)).
There is nothing which hinders souls more than the idea that the addict must overcome his addiction, the thief must become an honest man, or the lover of this world must become a lover of God before Christ will save us. Every sinner must learn that we have already done what certainly excludes us from the presence of a holy God, and we are already, AS WE ARE and WHERE WE ARE, under condemnation.
We must learn that nothing that we can possibly do can at all deliver us from this position. To tell us who are in this helpless case to be a better person or lead a better life is offering only a false hope. Nothing but what the Son of God has done for our deliverance can possibly help us. Jesus died for sinners; He “receiveth sinners,” when we confess ourselves such from our heart.
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). Everything which secured salvation for all who repent of their sins is already done and has been done since Jesus said, “It is finished.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”