by: Brett Bates
Malachi 3:6 – “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”
There is a word often used by theologians, while describing God, that you may not be very familiar with and that word is immutability.
God’s immutability is an essential attribute of his nature. We believe that God is immutable in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises. This means that God’s nature, character, and attributes are fixed and unchanging, and that he is faithful to his promises.
We emphasize God’s immutability because it provides a firm foundation for our understanding of God’s sovereignty and providence. If God were subject to change, then his sovereignty and providence would be called into question. However, by affirming God’s immutability, we can be confident that God’s purposes will always be accomplished and that his promises will always be fulfilled. The view of God’s immutability highlights the importance of God’s faithfulness to his people. If God were capable of changing his mind or breaking his promises, then we could not trust in him fully.
By affirming God’s immutability, we can be assured that God will always be faithful to his people and that his promises will never fail.
Our view of God’s immutability emphasizes the unchanging nature of God’s character and attributes, and provides a foundation for our trust in his sovereignty, providence, and faithfulness.
In theology, the reformed view of immutability refers to the belief that God is unchanging in His essence, character, and attributes. This means that God’s nature and attributes remain constant throughout all time and in all circumstances.
Immutability emphasizes the distinction between God and the created world. Because God is unchanging, He is not subject to the same limitations and changes as the material world. This underscores the importance of recognizing God’s transcendence and His role as the Creator and sustainer of all things.
Why is this important?
The belief that God is immutable, or unchanging, is important for several reasons. The first reason is Trustworthiness. If God were to change, then His promises and character would not be trustworthy. The immutability of God provides assurance that He is consistent and faithful to His promises. The second reason is Gods Sovereignty. If God were subject to change, then His sovereignty and control over the universe would be in question. The immutability of God reinforces His power and authority over all things. The third reason is theological consistency. The belief in God’s immutability is consistent with other important Christian doctrines such as the doctrine of creation, providence, and salvation. It provides a framework for understanding God’s nature and His relationship with the world.
Here are a few verses from the Bible that defend the belief that God is immutable:
- Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
- James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
- Psalm 102:25-27 – “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.”
- Numbers 23:19 – “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”
These verses affirm that God is unchanging in His nature, character, and attributes, and emphasize the consistency and reliability of His promises and actions.
Lastly, the importance of this belief lies in its impact on other theological doctrines. For example, if God were not immutable, then His promises and character would not be trustworthy. Additionally, if God were to change, then His sovereignty and control over the universe would be called into question. The belief in God’s immutability is important for maintaining a consistent and trustworthy theology, and for providing a foundation for understanding the nature of God and His relationship with the world.
