Immutability

 

 

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.

 

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/