Jesus spoke these words and they are found in John’s gospel chapter eight and to He continues; “and I know where I am going to;” they reveal a crucial issue which we must not treat casually.  Jesus had no doubts as to His origin and His destiny; in His self-awareness, He was clear, He knew who He was and was utterly secure in His identity. Are we as clear in this most vital of matters?  I suggest not, in fact, it appears that this is not the case with many churches today. Whatever name a congregation may call itself, and individual believers may espouse; whether charismatic, evangelical, Baptist or whatever, it seems obvious that many do not know where they come from or where they are going, their sense of identity is confused because their awareness of their place of origin is blurred.  Where does the church come from and who is she; what is her destiny and to whom does she owe her life and continuing existence?  If we cut to the chase on these questions we are driven right back to a phrase rarely used by Jesus and the apostles but one that has become tarnished and cheapened in the last hundred years or so, especially in American church circles; so much so that we almost hesitate to mention it without significant qualification and explanation!  Jesus used it in a conversation with a confused religious leader when He told him that he needed to be “born again.” (John 3v3)  Actually, the word Jesus used was ambiguous for it can also be translated “born from above” as well as “born again” and this double translation is in itself a rebuke to the life and practices of many churches today.

It is certain that at times we have disagreed with the title of this particular musing, we have, perhaps frequently, felt that God ‘got it wrong,’ the things that have come our way have not been perfect and world history appears to tell the same tale.  It was David who penned these words in one of his songs, (Psalm 18v30 KJV) though he did not originate them.  As it happens, his poem is included twice in the Bible and we are told exactly the circumstances in which he composed it. (2 Samuel 22v1)  

However, David was simply reiterating the testimony of a one hundred and twenty year old man named Moses who was reviewing his long life and the history of his people the Jews, he said, “God is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are blameless.” (Deuteronomy 32v4)  Quite a testimony when you look seriously at all Moses and Israel had gone through.

It is good to consider this kind of statement in its context as each composer looks at God’s dealings.  David, for instance, confesses that God girded him with strength and made his way perfect too. (Psalm 18v32)  God was the perfect guide and His guidance had been impeccable.

Maybe you have noticed a theme mentioned in a good number of choruses composed and sung in the churches in more recent years. I refer to the subject of woundedness; the idea of being hurt, abused, and broken and in need of healing is commonplace.

The prayer that Jesus will ‘heal my wounded heart’ is often heard, it can be quite moving, but also, at times a little worrying, not because of its substance, but because of what is not present with it. The emphasis on healing of the soul doubtless has several roots, the philosophy of the New Age movement for one and the advent of psychoanalysis and various schools studying psychology of human being for another.

God is love, so says the Scripture, in a myriad of ways it tells us that this is so, but these statements are not theological propositions, doctrines arrived at by the reasoning powers and logical thought of human beings.  They have the quality of revelation and confession, John the apostle who alone uses those three words “God is love” (1 John 4v8) is not giving us a definition, everything he had come to know of God led to this knowledge, it was his testimony, joined to his understanding of the totality of history, both his own and that of all the world; everything combined to convince him that God is indeed love.