Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
In a world that is constantly changing, we can be assured that Jesus, and by extension God, does not change. God is eternal meaning that He is outside of time. In fact, He is the Creator of time. And thus, He doesn’t age. He is perfectly consistent in His character and nature. He doesn’t get moody. He is truthful and will never act against the promises that He has made to mankind. God is completely dependable.
He is not like people. We are flawed, get tired, distracted, and frustrated at times. People will let us down and disappoint us. But God never will. That is why Jesus is a spiritual rock in which we can place our faith (Matthew 7:24). He is an anchor for our souls (Psalm 62:5). He is a fortress, a refuge, and a stronghold (Psalm 18:1-3). Because of His perfection and consistency, we can completely trust Him with our lives now and into eternity. Here are three of the countless ways that God never changes.
- God is consistent in His love
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
Of all of the descriptions of God in the Bible, the reality that He is love has to top the list. When scripture tells us that God is love, it is revealing an important part of His character and nature. The word is agape and it is in this word that we discover the true nature of our Creator and Savior.
Topping the list of characteristics of agape is patience and kindness but there are also a whole host of other descriptions as to what this kind of love is and what it is not. Consider reading through the descriptions found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and consider these wonderful attributes of God. When we fail to embrace the consistency of God’s love, we miss out on the spiritual peace, security, and confidence that He desires for us to enjoy.
Considering the importance of knowing (experientially) the love of God, it would only make sense that the enemy would seek ways to convince us otherwise. As believers, we need never let go of the reality that God is perfectly and consistently love.
- God is consistent in His willingness to forgive
Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22
When Peter was asking Jesus about forgiveness, he (Peter) was considering seven times as a maximum for forgiving someone. But Jesus corrected his anemic view of forgiveness by instructing him to forgive “seventy times seven.” Of course the meaning behind Jesus’ statement is that we are to forgive as many times as is necessary.
It is interesting that anyone would think that Jesus would instruct fallen mankind to act in such a forgiving way yet withhold that same heart and willingness from us. The truth is, Jesus does not instruct us to do anything that He has not already done or is willing to do. He is consistent in His willingness to forgive us and that willingness has no limits.
When we fail, we should be running to God, talking with Him, and dealing with Him regarding our behavior. When we do that, we find mercy, grace, and forgiveness waiting every time. But we have an enemy that would like to shame us into not going to Jesus. In fact, many people who fail seem to feel the need to leave the church, run away from God, or cease to talk to Him. But as believers, we need not ever let go of the reality that God is perfectly and consistently a forgiving God.
- God is consistent in His willingness to save
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:12-13
Why would we ever believe that God, in His love and willingness to forgive, would not also be eager to save our souls? Well scripture has a lot to say about the fact that He will save anyone who comes to Him in prayer, admitting his/her need, and asking Him to save.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek meaning that Jesus died to save people from all nations and all walks of life. His spiritual riches are available for anyone who will call on Him. And salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life are also accessible to everyone who calls on His name. God does not take pleasure in the death of even the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23, 32) and His desire is for all mankind to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). God loves the world and did not send Jesus to condemn us rather that we might be saved through Him (John 3:17). His sacrificial death on the cross is enough to bring mankind to justification of life (Romans 5:18, 1 John 2:2).
But again, we have an enemy who would like nothing more than to keep us separated from God and salvation (Luke 8:12, 2 Corinthians 4:4). Add to that the reality that mankind will often choose to stay out of the Light of Jesus because they love their deeds and sinful lifestyle (John 3:19). But as believers, we need not let go of the reality that God is perfectly and consistently willing, with outstretched arms, to save, redeem, and restore anyone who is willing to come to Him by faith (Matthew 11:28).
Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever! Are you enjoying the love, forgiveness, and salvation that come from a relationship with Jesus?
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