Immutability
Hebrews 13:8
tells us, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and
today and forever."
My temporary earthly surroundings and situations seem to
change haphazardly. Havoc, worry, and
stress affect my well-being, my thoughts, and my behavior. Some days I feel like Jekyll and Hyde.
When I read that Jesus has been, is, and always will be the
same, I am especially comforted. He is
not inconsistent. He is constant. His nature is unchanging. He is never buffeted about by surroundings,
situations, or stress.
Our Lord is immutable.
This lovely word means He is unchangeable, unalterable, ageless, and He
is not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or
nature1. Why is this truth so
comforting? Why is this concept so
important?
God's attribute of immutability makes me feel secure, safe,
and serene. His promises, gifts, and
attributes are constant ALWAYS! He is
holy. He cannot be tempted by evil. He never sins. He is righteous, just, and loving.
Malachi 3:6a says, "I, the LORD,
do not change."
Because He is holy and perfect, He cannot lie, so I know
beyond any shadow of a doubt that what He says is absolutely and totally
true. I can believe Him when He promises
eternal salvation. I can trust that His
grace and forgiveness are forever.
R. C. Sproul Jr. teaches that God's immutability is vitally
important. He says, " This
attribute is that which enables us to depend on God to be God. It is why we can be certain that every
excellency, every perfection, indeed every promise of God is utterly
inviolable. He shall not be moved. Jonathan Edwards wisely pointed out that
this is one of the reasons the heathen hate him so much. They have other potent
enemies. But those enemies can grow weak. They have other angry enemies, but
they can be calmed. They have other knowing enemies, but they can be fooled.
The God of heaven and earth, on the other hand, will never cease to be
all-powerful. His wrath will never turn from sin. And His eyes will never
grow dim.2"
Let me emphasize one phrase again; the attribute of immutability is what enables us to depend on God to be
God! I am assured and certain that
He will keep every one of His promises.
I am sure He will be just in administering His salvation and His
condemnation.
Psalm 102:25-27 says,
25 In
the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
and they will be discarded.
27 But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
and they will be discarded.
27 But you remain the same,
and your years will never end.
Who better can we entrust our salvation and eternal
well-being to than He who is not only God, but He who cannot and does not
change. Our eternal destiny could not be
in better hands!!
James 1:17 teaches, "Every good
and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly
lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
"In Him our hearts rejoice, for
we trust in His holy name." Psalm
33:21
Our Lord is trustworthy.
He does not lie. His nature never
changes. No outside sources alter His character
or who He is, was, or ever shall be. His
Gospel message remains the same ... always!
His promises are never broken.
His word is inerrant, unchanging, and living! Everything else in creation is subject to
change, except the Creator, for He, as God, will not change!
Holy and
Heavenly Father,
I thank you
emphatically for bringing your attribute of immutability to my attention. I love this word, and I am incredibly
comforted by this truth. I may fuss
about my changing situations, and I may stress over life's chaos and its
people, but in the midst of all turmoil I can count on you to be my unchanging
and constant God! Thank you for your
promises, grace, and love. Amen.
1.
immutable. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged.
Random House, Inc.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/immutable (accessed:
January 28, 2014).
https://bible.org/seriespage/immutability-god
2.
http://www.ligonier.org/blog/importance-gods-immutability/
