We are all familiar with the song “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand.” Considering that we so often hear people say that change is good, the concept of a Being that is unchanging is thought provoking. Sometimes change is desperately needed, but other times change equals betrayal (Ps. 119:59-60; Jer. 2:29-37). The Scriptures encourage us to be faithful on the basis of the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). This is a powerful verse on its own, but when we fit it into its context it becomes even more powerful. Something had caused these once faithful Hebrew Christians to move away from Christ (Heb. 2:1-3; 6:1-6; 10:38-39; 12:1-3). They were drifting away from the one who died for them and neglecting eternal salvation (Heb. 2:3-10). This verse is more than just a burst of praise and adoration for our Savior; it is an urgent call to faithfulness on the basis of Jesus Christ’s immutability!
Forgetting the immutability of God is a sure recipe for apostasy. It was the nation of Israel’s downfall and here in the book of Hebrews it is identified as spiritual Israel’s downfall. We must take great care that it does not become our downfall as well. As times change, cultural norms change and ideas of morality begin to shift. Someone has rightfully said, “the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ is the solid rock upon which we stand, it is the immovable anchor by which we can find stability”, it is the sure foundation upon which to build our faith (Heb. 6:19; 12:2).How we need to hold to God’s unchanging hand!
The immutability of Jesus Christ is more than just a conceptual curiosity. The fact that Jesus Christ does not change means that for God’s people there are certainties. For example, because of Jesus Christ’s immutability we can be certain that His Word is unchanging. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). We can rest assured that the Scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35). The Psalmist declared, “Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89). This means that God’s plan of salvation will not change, His concept of right and wrong will not change, His system of worship will not change and His desire for fellowship with us will not change. Since our God is immutable we can consistently ask “what saith the scripture?” (Rom. 4:3) and then we can follow its dictates with confidence (2 John 9-11). It is the immutability of God that causes Him to give such stern warnings about tampering with the sacred Scriptures (Gal. 1:6-10; Rev. 22:18-19). God word is not intended to be changed, but to cause change in us (1 Cor. 6:11).
The immutability of Jesus Christ allows us to be certain that His great and precious promises are unchanging
(2 Pet. 1:4). When we meet God’s terms of pardon, He has promised to forgive us (Heb. 8:12). We have been promised peace, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Peace with God is made when we obey the gospel of peace (Rom. 10:13-16). In giving the great commission, Jesus also promised us His presence, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt. 28:20). When we are weighed down by life and when things are tough, we need to remember that we are not alone. Our immutable God has promised “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6).
Knowing that God is with me, and that I can approach His throne to find grace and mercy, should help as I struggle through life (Heb. 4:14-16). Finally, we have the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ (Tit. 1:2; 1 John 5:11). What a dead man needs most is not a coffin, but life. Our unchanging God has promised that if we obey His word we can pass from death unto life (John 5:24). Paul reminds us that all of the promises of God are yes in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is the exclamation point for every promise that God makes. God’s word, His love and His promises are all backed up by His unchanging nature. Truly, Jesus Christ’s immutability is the solid rock upon which we stand.