Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28
The Invitation to Come
We often wonder if we need to change before we approach God, but the beautiful truth is that we can come to Him just as we are. This invitation is not conditional. It doesn’t require us to clean up our lives first or to put on a façade of perfection. Jesus invites us to bring our burdens, our fears, and our imperfections to Him. This means that no matter what our struggles are, we can find solace in knowing that God welcomes us with open arms, asking us only to come to Him honestly and sincerely.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” – Isaiah 1:18
James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8
Revelation 22:17
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” – Revelation 22:17
Matthew 19:14
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” – Matthew 19:14
Romans 10:13
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13
God’s Unfailing Love
As we approach God just as we are, we can lean into His unfailing love. The love of God is not based on our performance or how well we manage our lives. It is a love that is ever-present, unconditional, and eternal. It fills our hearts and calms our fears. When we fully grasp the depth of this love, we are encouraged to come boldly to God without hesitation, knowing we are cherished regardless of our past or how we currently feel about ourselves.
Psalms 136:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” – Psalms 136:1
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Psalm 103:13
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” – Psalm 103:13
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
1 John 4:9
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” – 1 John 4:9
Finding Rest in God
Coming to God as we are means unburdening ourselves from our worries and stress. God is a refuge for the weary and provides us with the rest our souls crave. In moments of distress, we can turn to Him for peace and reassurance, laying down the weight of our struggles. God’s promise to give us rest is a powerful reminder that we do not have to bear our troubles alone; He is always ready to help us carry our load.
Matthew 11:30
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:30
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
The Power of Repentance
When we come to God as we are, it often involves an acknowledgment of our shortcomings. Repentance is not just feeling sorry for what we’ve done; it’s actively turning away from our sins and seeking a fresh start with God. He is always ready to forgive us and gather us back into His loving embrace. Each time we humble ourselves before Him and ask for His grace, we experience renewed hope and transformation in our lives.
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Luke 15:7
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” – Luke 15:7
Psalms 51:17
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” – Psalms 51:17
Isaiah 55:7
“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7
Living in Freedom
When we come to God just as we are, He frees us from our past and helps us move forward in life. We are no longer bound by guilt or shame. Instead, we are called to live in the freedom He provides through Christ. This freedom empowers us to embrace our identity as children of God, allowing us to live out our faith confidently and joyfully. In this space of acceptance, we flourish as we walk with Him each day.
Galatians 5:1
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36
Psalms 118:5
“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.” – Psalms 118:5
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1
God’s Posture Toward Us
As we come to God as we are, it’s vital to recognize His warmhearted posture towards us. He does not stand at a distance, but rather He approaches us with compassion and understanding. We can see this through the story of the prodigal son, where the father ran to his child, full of love and forgiveness. God’s arms are open wide, ready to receive us into His family. Knowing this gives us courage to approach Him at any moment in our lives.
Luke 15:20
“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20
Psalms 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalms 34:18
Matthew 12:20
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.” – Matthew 12:20
Isaiah 40:11
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” – Isaiah 40:11
Maalachi 3:17
“On the day when I act, says the Lord Almighty, they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.” – Maalachi 3:17
Final Thoughts
In this journey of faith, we’ve discovered that coming to God as we are opens the door to His unfailing love and compassion. Each one of us is embraced by His arms, regardless of our past mistakes or present struggles. We can approach Him with our burdens, knowing He is always ready to listen, forgive, and help us in our lives. God invites us not only to lay down our worries but also teaches us the joy of living in His freedom and grace.
As we reflect on these truths, we affirm that we can approach God honestly and humbly, confident in His acceptance. We are reminded that we do not need to pretend to be perfect, for God delights in us just as we are. He turns our sadness into joy, and our struggles into testimonies of hope.
We encourage you to explore more biblical truths about living authentically and opening your heart to God. Take a moment to reflect and discover new depths in your relationship with Him.
If you found this topic inspiring, you can read bible verses about being authentic or explore bible verses about opening up your heart to God.