Thursday, September 24, 2020

Bulletin Insert (Sept. 27, 2020): God is Immutable

 

GOD is IMMUTABLE (e.g., Unchanging)

 

I. The Doctrine Defined.

There is no change within the Nature, Character, Mind, or Will of God. He never has, and never will become greater or less than what He is today. He does not learn, grow, develop, change, improve, mutate, nor evolve. Immutability refers to God’s freedom from all change, emphasizing His changeless perfection and Divine constancy.

 

II. Scripture.

The Divine Name implies immutability; He is not “becoming;” He IS!

Ex. 3:14: God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

 

God’s promises are unchanging, even as He is unchanging.

Num. 23:19: "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

 

His thoughts and plans are also unchanging.

Ps. 33:11: The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

 

His immutability ensured Jerusalem’s doom—and yet, is Israel’s hope!

Ezek. 24:14: "I, the LORD, have spoken; it is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry; according to your ways and according to your deeds I will judge you," declares the Lord GOD.'"

Mal. 3:6: "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

 

What is true of the Father is also true of the Son, in regard to His Deity.

James 1:17b: “the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

Heb. 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

III. Practical Applications, with regard to the Doctrine…

a. Immutability is the guarantee of blessing for God’s People! Ps. 33:11-12

b. The survival of Israel is guaranteed by His Immutability. Mal. 3:6

c. When we are tempted, it is not God—who is unchanging—but our sinful selves who are at work! James 1:13-17

d. He is ever constant; our ups & downs do not change either Him or His Plan.  2 Tim. 2:13

e. Divine Immutability underlines some of the key characteristics of a godly person: stability, reliability, immovability, dependability, etc.

f. An assurance that we have at least one true friend & dependable ally, in the Person of God, even if others desert us. Ps. 41:9-13

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