In this post, we cover additional attributes of God that cannot be transferred or conferred upon man in a finite state. We know that:
God's Name, His nature, His Purposes and His Will remain unchanged, and I would argue “unchangeable”. God cannot act against or change His Holy Nature and does not change His Mind or His Purpose. Contrast this to humans, who are moody, indecisive, capricious and always changing, growing and evolving…
And the material universe is changing too…
- God is Immutable
- God is Omniscient (...but He knew that already...)
- God is Omnipresent
God is Immutable
Immutable = “not changing”. “Mutate” means to change.God's Name, His nature, His Purposes and His Will remain unchanged, and I would argue “unchangeable”. God cannot act against or change His Holy Nature and does not change His Mind or His Purpose. Contrast this to humans, who are moody, indecisive, capricious and always changing, growing and evolving…
And the material universe is changing too…
An aside here about the unchanging and Divinely inspired Word of God. Note the Psalmist 3,000 years ago correctly identified that the fabric of our universe is winding down and wearing out. The universe that God created changes, but God doesn't:
Change is not always good...
Psalm 102:24-27 Your years continue through all generations. Long ago You established the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; all of them will wear out like clothing. You will change them like a garment, and they will pass away. But You are the same, and Your years will never end HCSBMaterialist and science fiction writer Isaac Asimov confirmed that the Second Law applies to the universe as a whole:
"Another way of stating what the Second Law is, the universe is constantly getting more disorderly… In fact, all we have to do is nothing, and everything deteriorates, collapses, breaks down, wears out, all by itself- and that’s what the Second Law is all about."
Change is not always good...
God doesn't need to change His mind, or make new plans. God's omniscience is closely tied to His immutability because He cannot learn or be surprised. His plans are not frustrated or confused by events in this universe, so His Word can be trusted. He does not change in character, purposes or wisdom, therefore He can be trusted. Faith can only rest in a God who is trustworthy.
God’s Nature does not change
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. HCSB
James 1:17 Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. HCSB
God's Purpose does not change
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands for ever, the thoughts of His heart from generation to generation. HCSB
Hebrews 6:17-19a Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure... HCSB
God's Word does not change
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. HCSB
Psalm 119:89-90 Lord, Your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. Thy faithfulness endures to all generations; thou hast established the earth, and it stands fast. HCSBGod’s Love does not change
Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” This is the way God loves you – with an everlasting love. It is an immutable, unchangeable, and undying love that he has for us. HCSB
Romans 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. HCSBGod's immutability does not translate to unchanging for every aspect of God's nature. He is the Living God, ever renewing Love and Creativity, ever renewing His grace and forgiveness to those who call on His name. Where God is unchanging is His Wisdom, His Character, His Purpose and His Word. We can trust Him.
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Scripture citations are from: Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) © 2009 Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville TN
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