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.
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” - Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we
ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you - your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.”
- 2 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message)
C. Our practice - It’s only by claiming God’s promises that we can know God’s best.
“For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] ‘Yes.’ So through Him we say our ‘Amen’ to the glory of God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:20 (Amplified)
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” - Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
Suppose a multi-millionaire sent you a $1,000 check every month for your entire life. And despite knowing he’s good for every one, and gives them to bless and enrich your life, you never cash any of them? In fact, you not only never cash any of them; you don’t keep up with them. You don’t know how many you have, their total worth, or where they are. Everyone would say you’re crazy! How much crazier are Christians who don’t know God’s promises to them, don’t know where to find them, and never claim them?
3. His purpose for the saved - v. 18c
God has determined that He will make all creation new.
“And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’” - Revelation 21:5 (NASB)
B. This work has started with all who come to Christ.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
C. This work will be completed when Christ returns.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” - Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
Where did Paul get this confidence? He knew our God never changes, therefore, He will see to it that what He has planned will happen.
“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” - Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)
Conclusion: God never changes, so we know He’s forever satisfied with Christ’s sacrifice that provides for our salvation; and if I claim His promise of salvation through faith in Christ, it will be fulfilled; and He will complete in me the work He’s begun because His plan will not be deterred. So how might this challenge or comfort us today?
1. Since God never changes, I’m challenged to understand that I must be willing to change. I’m not to remake God in my image; it’s the other way around.
2. Since God never changes His commitment to me, I’m challenged to never change my commitment to Him.
3. Since God never changes, I’m challenged that Jesus will always be the only way to Him and I must be faithful to tell others about Him. May God’s passion be my passion.
“God never changes moods or cools off in His affections or loses enthusiasm. His attitude toward sin is now the same as it was when He drove out the sinful man from the eastward garden, and His attitude toward the sinner the same as when He stretched forth His hand and cried, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'” - A.W. Tozer
1. Since God never changes, He will always love me.
2. Because God never changes, He will always forgive me.
3. Because God never changes, He will always pursue me.
“If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. Face it, friend. He’s crazy about you.” - Max Lucado
And that will never change because God never does.
