The Immutability of God

Today we are to speak of a most glorious doctrine.

It is one that establishes our faith, shapes our entire perspective of who God is, and by that consequence leads to terrible error if we depart from it.

The question for us to answer tonight, is what exactly makes God dependable? How can I trust God?

You may say that He is loving, merciful, longsuffering, and you would be right.

But to go further and speak of what makes God so dependable, we must look no further than His Immutability.

So what is Immutability?

Abstract of Systematic Theology Chapter VII: The Immutability of God

BY the immutability of God is meant that he is incapable of change, either in duration of life, or in nature, character, will or happiness. In none of these, nor in any other respect is there any possibility of change

As we embark to understand exactly what it means for God to be unchanging, we will root our study in Psalm 102:25-27

Within these few simple verses we have a description of God as creator, sustainer, consistent, and eternal that can be stated to be one of the most beautiful descriptions of the King within the Bible.

Not because they necessarily stir some gushy response from us, but because they make us stop and see God in light of who He truly is, and how much grander He is than His creation.

Let us venture into our passage:

Verse 25:

Of old you laid the foundation of the world, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

To be noted first we have allusion to the eternality of God and His presence as creator.

There is nothing in the universe, either known or unknown that does not have its origin and draw its life from the King.

God is the source of all, and has crafted all of it for His glory.

In His creation we see pattern, and we see meticulous order. This order cannot originate from chaos but instead finds its origin in the mind of the creator.

It must be noted however, that in noticing the order of our world, there is decay, and there is nothing that lasts forever.

Things grow old and die, and even creation itself will one day meet its end.

Verse 26:

They will perish, but you will remain: they will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away.

This world, and the far reaches of our universe will meet their end. We see that this world is not built for eternity but as with leaves dying and being shed in the changing of seasons, this world too will pass away.

This leads us to the opening of the point of our discussion and opening question.

What is it that makes God so dependable?

Verse 27:

but you are the same, and your years have no end.

You and I live in a world that is consistently changing.

In the modern world, what is important, and what gains social status is in constant flux.

Circumstances of life are consistently changing but the one consistent in existence is God.

So what does it mean that God does not change?

It means that God does not learn, evolve, regret, change His mind, or age.

God is the ever-consistent, unchanging ruler of our universe.

So why does this matter? What are the consequences of His Immutability? Let’s examine a few:

Who He is never changes:

This passage is used in Hebrews 1 to refer to the Son. A conclusion drawn there which should be noted here is that our God is perfectly triune. God does not change form but instead He is perfectly in harmony as our triune King.

His Character never changes

Psalm 107:1 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

2 Tim 2:13 “if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”

He never learns anything new:

God is perfectly aware of all, there is nothing that catches Him off guard.

Isa 40:13-14 “Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?”

His Will never changes:

God is perfect in Will and action. All that He has ordained to happen, and all He causes to come to fruition and declares to do, He will do.

He keeps His promises.

God is faithful to do what He says He will do. Our God is unchanging and unwavering in His love and will finish what He has began.

Rom 8:28-30

The God who has called you into His family, is faithful to see you through to the end. Because our God is unchanging in Character and unwavering in His love He is a God to give all glory and to trust fully in.