17. "I really want to come to Jesus, but 1 do not seem to know how to do so.”

It is strange how we stumble over the very simplicity of the gospel invitation. Christ Jesus is a living, loving, divinely-human personality—as truly as when He was here on earth. It is He Himself who bids us come. Do you know what it is to stay away? Then surely you need have no difficulty in doing the very opposite! Lift your heart to Him in prayer. Tell Him that you are the sinner for whom He died, and that now you accept His gracious invitation to "Come, for all things are now ready." Then believe that He receives you, for He said He would and He always keeps His word.
You may have heard the story of Charlotte Elliot, the hymn-writer. As a young woman she was troubled and anxious about her soul, but very reticent when it came to seeking help from others. But a French pastor, who was visiting her father, put the question directly to her, "Have you come to Jesus?" She replied, "I want to come, but I do not know how." He simply answered, "Come just as you are." She fled to her room in tears and later emerged a saved soul. She wrote the well-known lines quoted below as the expression of her own coming. Will you not make them yours?
“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!
“Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken ev'ry barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!”