Things that do not change # 3 - the Character of God

As we consider our list of things that do not change, we have already examined that we can trust the Word of God and we have considered that we can always rely on the presence of God with us.  Today I want to remind us of something else that does not change.  This is known as the doctrine of immutability.  God does not change.  Wayne Grudem defines this unchanging nature of God like this, “God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, he acts and feels differently in response to different situations.”  (from his work Systematic Theology) In other words, the character and nature of God does not change.  Notice what Malachi 3:6 says, “’For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.’”  When our world is changing constantly, we can take comfort in the constant nature of God and the fact that He is faithful to keep ALL of his promises to us.  This unchanging nature of God is also seen in James 1:17 and here we see it is the reason we can trust that all good things are coming from God above.  In Isaiah 46:9-11 we see that this part of the character of God means that we can trust that He will do what He says He will do.  This is the reason that the Word of God does not change – we cannot remove what God says from His character and our God does not change. 

Think about this during times of turmoil.  The whole world can turn upside down and backward.  Each of our lives can seem one moment certain and the next moment totally unknown.  But God does not change.  And the plan that He has enacted from before the beginning of time WILL reach its conclusion because God cannot act against His own faithful and true character.  Every Word He has spoken will not return void because of the unchanging nature of His own character. 

One of the difficulties that we face is that far too often we define God by our circumstances instead of by His character.  For example, when the Scriptures talk about the goodness of God, we take goodness and define it by our own circumstances.  Then when our circumstances change, we question the character of God.  We must not do this.  God does not change.  Therefore, what needs to change is our perspective on our circumstances.  We must learn to see our world through the means given to us – the unchanging Word of God.  We must learn to trust that God is God and there is no other.  So, when bad things happen to us, we remind ourselves that God is God and is bringing about His ultimate answer to evil through the already accomplished work of Christ.  We do not focus on the displeasure of our circumstances but focus instead on the blessings and pleasure we have because of Jesus.  And we do this because we know that God is going to accomplish His purpose because His character cannot change. 

This truth is why Jesus can say that what He teaches is a firm foundation – a foundation built on rock instead of sand.  (Matthew 7:24-27) This is why we will never go wrong when, “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.”  And in moments of uncertainty and fear it is good to remind ourselves that we can hold fast to God because, “I, the Lord, do not change. . .” (Mal. 3:6)