Where does the Bible say come to Christ as you are?

Answer 1

There is no scripture that says exactly come as you are, but rather one that is interpreted as to be saying that. When Jesus gave the parable (Matthew 22:1 - 14) of those bidded to come to the wedding of a king's son but refused, made light of it and even killed those that had been sent out to offer his invitation. He then sent for the people of lowly status to come not in fine clothes or bearing gifts for great price, merely to come just as they were and the garments would be provided for them ready and willing to take part in a marriage. Only one was cast out and that was one who had come not ready to put on the festive robe (in this case the robe of righteousness) but rather to spectate the event.

Answer 2

The Bible doesn't say that. This is but one of Satan's many religious deceptions in the world designed to appeal to lazy, selfish human nature. It's basically the shirking of our responsibility to our Creator.

Jesus tells us to "REPENT"... not to "stay as we are." To CHANGE OUR SELFISH WAYS. To take a 180 degree turn in our lives and turn FIRST to God for His Mercy and Forgiveness for our "sins" [our transgressions against Him - I John 3:4].

"...that REPENTANCE and REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:47)

God Commands and DE-mands our obedience to His laws. Always has... always will. Which begins with a change of heart [spirit; attitude] toward both Him and His Commandments... which is naturally hostile and rebellious.

"Because the carnal mind [the natural selfish, rebellious attitude of man] is ENMITY [HOSTILE] AGAINST GOD: for it is not subject to the law [Commandments] of God, neither indeed can be." (Rom.8:7)

God will NEVER accept a rebellious, hostile, irresponsible person approaching him... which is how we are, normally. We must first see the error of our ways [which are contrary to God's ways]... REPENT OF THEM; be sorry for having disobeyed our Creator, and have a desire to please Him.

It begins by seeing the Glory of God and His ways. His Great Selfless Love for us, His Children... which we then want to emulate. Want to be LIKE Him.

It's the opposite of our selfish nature [repentance]. It's "loving God with all our hearts"... and learning to Love others as much as we love ourselves. It's learning to Forgive others... which God will not do for us, until we do.

"...for if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also Forgive you: but if ye forgive men not their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matt.6:14-15)

That's "repentance." The desire to Love like God Loves. Having a Gracious Forgiving attitude toward God... and others.

God demands a "humble change" in our natural, hostile, rebellious human attitudes before we can come to Him.

"...Yet will I look with pity on the man who has a humble and contrite heart, who trembles at My Word. But those who choose their own ways, delighting in their sins, are cursed. God will NOT ACCEPT THEIR OFFERINGS..." (Isa.66:2-3 LVB Living Bible).

"Coming to Christ as we are," is a satanic deception that APPEALS TO THE NATURAL IRRESPONSIBILITY OF HUMAN NATURE. [Don't tell me what to do... I'll live my life the way I want to] We don't have to change a thing... just keep on disobeying God [keep on sinning without a break in the action].

But Jesus insists -- DEMANDS... COMMANDS -- that His creation [mankind] "change" first... repent -- a lifelong process and "attitude adjustment" that, with God's Holy Spirit in us, results in a Loving, Caring, Humble Child of God.

"...Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel [good news] of the Kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT YE, and believe the gospel [good news]." (Mark 1:14-15 KJV)

"...Jesus went to Galilee to preach God's Good News. 'At last the time has come!' He announced. 'God's Kingdom is near! TURN FROM YOUR SINS and act on this Glorious News!'" (same verses LVB)

He never said, "Come to Me as you are..." all rebellious, hostile and selfish toward Me and others. There's no growth in that. No Righteous Character development in "staying as we are" -- sin-sick and dying.

Coming to Christ is the old self being BURIED IN HIS DEATH... and RESURRECTED TO NEWNESS OF CHRIST's LIFE ETERNAL within us.

God expects His Children to be responsible, self-disciplined, caring, loving, merciful Children [the opposite of 'the way we are']... like any reasonable father expects of the children in his household to grow into.

The Bible doesn't say, "Come to Christ as you are." That's Satan, lying... telling man that he can "SKIP that all-important first step toward Christ" -- repentance. That, "without changing anything in their lives, whatsoever,"... no cares in the world, no personal responsibility, no discipline; men can go straight to God's salvation.

It's deceiving men into thinking [believing] that they have Christ... when they DON'T. It's "skipping personal responsibility; REPENTANCE" the first step to Salvation.

"...Peter said unto them [those who killed Christ], REPENT, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38 KJV)

(LVB): "... Peter replied, 'EACH ONE OF YOU MUST TURN FROM SIN, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this Gift, the Holy Spirit."