"God Never Changes” Series

We’re beginning a new series on thanking God for who He is. Today we are going to consider the fact that we should be thankful for the fact that our God never changes; that He is always the same.

“If we are inclined to grieve because everything around us changes, our consolation will be found in turning to our unchanging God.” - Charles Spurgeon

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James warns us not to be deceived. The devil will tell you God has changed about forgiving you, loving you, saving you, or being good to you. But as the old saying goes, “God is good, all the time; and all the time, God is good.” James tells us about three good gifts God gives us, made all the more meaningful as we realize God does not change.

1. His provision of salvation - v. 18a

James says, “He chose to give us birth.” It was God’s decision to give eternal life to all who acknowledge his Son’s sacrifice for their sins. He chose to give us birth by giving His one and only Son, for our sake.

A. God chose the cross even before man chose to rebel.

“. . . the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.” - Revelation 13:8b (NIV)

God chose to provide for mankind’s salvation, even before He made man, who He foreknew would rebel against Him. God already had a plan for man’s salvation in place before the problem of man’s sin ever arose. By the way, that’s the way God always works, as the cross is proof. Whatever problem arises in your life, remember the cross is proof that God has a plan in place before your problem every arose.

B. God chose the cross even before men chose to repent.

“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8 (CSB)

Before we repented, and were still living for sin, God chose to provide new birth for us through the sacrifice of the cross.

C. God chose the cross even though not all choose to respond.

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” - 1 John 2:2 (NIV)

God chose to provide salvation even for those who would never respond to His invitation to receive it. Still, the gift of eternal life has been purchased through Christ’s sacrifice at the cross for everyone. None of us can earn it or deserve it. That is why it is a gift.

“God chose to give us birth” James says. In order to do this, He had to fully pay the price to make that possible, and He did so through the cross. This is why the message we have to declare is “Good News.”

Jesus is an all sufficient Savior because He fully paid the penalty for our sin and proved that the penalty for sin (death) was fully overcome by being raised from the dead. He now reigns on high, victorious over sin, Satan, death and hell. And when I trust in Him as my personal Savior from sin, Satan, death and hell, I know I will be eternally saved, because the Father is fully and forever satisfied with His sacrifice.

Because of this, Jesus will always be an eternally sufficient Savior.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” - Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

“There’s no taking back the cross, no regret in what it cost.” - Let there Be Light, Hillsong

Since God doesn’t change, His satisfaction with His Son’s sacrifice won’t change; meaning that all who trust in Christ can know they are saved eternally, for they have accepted God’s provision of salvation.

2. His promises in Scripture - v. 18b

Depending on how you count them, there are around 30,000 promises in the Bible!

A. Their power - A promise is only as good as the person making it. Sadly, if you’ve lived any length of time, you have had the experience of having someone make a promise they don’t keep.

Often, not keeping their promise has to do with some changes they cannot control. But the promises of God can be depended on, because God does not change!

“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” - Numbers 23:19 (NIV)

“God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” - Psalm 18:30 (NLT)

B. Their purpose - God has given us His promises so we might, as His children, grow in our understanding of Him and our experience of Him. We start the Christian life believing and claiming the promise that if we repent of our sins and trust in Christ as our Savior, we will be born again; and we continue in the Christian life the same way.