I. What Does It Mean That God Is Unchanging/Immutable?
Malachi 3:6 - For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
1 Samuel 15:29 - Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.
Psalm 102:25-27 - Of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
James 1:17 - Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (ESV – “shifting shadow due to change”, NIV – “who does not change like shifting shadows”)
A. His unchangeableness is part of what sets Him apart as God and Creator and not a man/creature
1 Samuel 15:29 - Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.
B. His unchangeableness means that God is unchanging in His being and character
C. His unchangeableness means that God is unchanging in His purposes
D. His unchangeableness means that God is unchanging in His promises
Hebrews 6:13-18 - For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.” And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.
II. What Does God’s Immutability NOT Mean?
A. It does not mean that God has no emotions or passions (i.e. God is not impassible)
B. It does not mean that God doesn’t change His mind
1 Samuel 15:10-11 - Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands…”
1 Samuel 15:35 - …And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.
1 Samuel 15:29 - Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.
C. It does not mean that human beings have no responsibility
III. How Should God’s Unchangeableness Change Us?
A. God’s unchangeableness should change fear and anxiety into confident faith
Hebrews 6:17-18 - In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.
B. God’s unchangeableness should produce contentment in place of greed and consumerism
Hebrews 13:5-6 - Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”
Hebrews 13:7-8 - Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
C. God’s unchangeableness should produce commitment to God’s Word in place of false doctrines
Hebrews 13:8-9 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings…
D. God’s unchangeableness should produce humility in place of pride
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