On May 9, 1822, Dr. Caesar Malan of Switzerland visited Charlotte Elliott, an embittered invalid in Brighton, England. Because of her poor health, Charlotte had become rude and irritable. Dr. Malan spoke to her about her spiritual needs. “I am miserable,” Charlotte confessed. “I want to be saved. I want to come to Jesus; but I don’t know how.” That’s when Malan gave her his famous reply, which later became the basis for the greatest invitational hymn of all time. “Why not come just as you are?” he asked. Charlotte did come just as she was, and later she wrote this hymn about it.
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst 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 and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

He said to them, “Come and see . . .”
John 1:39
“Come, follow Me.”
Matthew 19:21

Morgan, R. J. (2013). Devotions for lent (ebook shorts): meditations based on best-loved hymns. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell.