As You Are
I thought God would only want me if I was perfect. As hard as I tried to be perfect I was a hypocrite who continually misrepresented God.
I am that prodigal son who wasted all the portion entrusted to me by my father. But I have not yet fallen at my father's knees. I have not yet begun to put away from me the enticements of my former riotous living.
St Jerome
It can be hard to want to get to know Someone if you think they do not want you.
Luke 7:7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
John 5:40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
However Someone Exists Who does not want to condemn you
Psalm 102:19-20 “The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high,
from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.”
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 8:11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
There is nothing you can say or do to make God want you any more or any less. He wants you for no other reason than He wants nothing more than you. He wants you as you are.
Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
God has never nor will ever force you to come to Him
He wants to be with you as you are more than you want to be with you as you are.
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.
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
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 21:31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.
Matthew 22:3-4 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
Matthew 25:6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Mark 1:17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Luke 6:18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured,
Luke 6:47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.
Luke 14:17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
Luke 14:23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.
Luke 17:4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
John 3:21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 7:37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.
John 10:19 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
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.