What keeps us from coming to Jesus?

A lot of institutions (churches included) put rules in place before you can meet God.

You must be a member of the church for this long!

You must never have any doubts about Christ!

You must have already defeated this sin!

Sometimes, we put these limitations on ourselves.

I can’t come to God right now, because…

I’m not good enough for God.

Why would God listen to someone like me?

We’re human, and if there’s anyone who knows about our own shortcomings, it’s ourselves. And it’s easy to see God—an all-powerful, all-knowing, totally perfect being—as distant in comparison to our own imperfection.

The beauty of the gospel is that God doesn’t dismiss imperfection. He welcomes it.

Every single human in the Bible was imperfect. Sarah laughed at God’s promises. Jacob literally wrestled with God. Esther was afraid. David was a murder and an adulterer. And while God didn’t ignore their sins, He also never left them alone.

God wants to know your doubt.

God wants to know your fear.

God wants to know your sin.

God gave Sarah a child. He blessed Jacob and humbled him with a permanent reminder of his own imperfection. He was there when Esther saved her people. He kept his promises to David.

God expects us to fight sin, yes. But fighting sin starts with knowing God and knowing ourselves in Him.

God wants your attention.

God wants your confidence.

God wants your time.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8, New International Version)

In this chapter of James, the author tells us to grieve our sins and to humble ourselves, and at the same time urges us to come near to God. Our imperfections shouldn’t keep us from coming to Him. Rather, they are part of what draws us near.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-29, NIV)

Paul reminds us that we can have confidence that nothing—nothing!—separates us from God. All it takes is for us to turn to Him.

There is a common phrase pastors use during communion. All, or some, or a variation of this passage are used to extend an invitation to all to come to the table. Often overlooked, this phrase, though small, is powerful:

“Come to this table, not because you must but because you may,

not because you are strong, but because you are weak.

Come, not because any goodness of your own gives you a right to come,

but because you need mercy and help.

Come, because you love the Lord a little and would like to love him more.

Come, because he loved you and gave himself for you.

Come and meet the risen Christ, for we are his Body.”

Attributed to W. Barclay, The Lord’s Supper, SCM, 1967

Communing with God doesn’t just happen during communion. The invitation for you to come to Him with your fears, your doubts, your desires for more, is always open.

God wants you just as you are, no questions asked, no prerequisites, nothing to bring.

Come to Him. He just wants you.

Here's What God Wants from You