Chapter 4 continued
Now notice the last statement which I quoted, “But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.” This verse gives us further insight into the nature and character of God. Notice that the statement is made that God is the same and his years shall have no end. To be qualified as the same, you must be 100% the same every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week etc. for all of eternity. If you change anything on even the slightest variation, then the word same cannot apply. Not only that, but to even imply that God has changed in any form, fashion, way, style or any other word that would be applicable would be to say that God is not perfect. Total perfection means there is nothing that can be or needs to be changed.
To imply change gives only two options. You change for the worse, or you change for the better. Seeing how God is 100% holy and righteous, has no sin, is impossible for Him to sin and is perfect in everything that he has done and will do, God is the only one who can be qualified as the same. As far as getting any better, how could it be possible for the ever present, all knowing and all powerful God of Heaven to get any better? The answer is that it cannot be done. He already knows everything, he is everywhere at all times and everything is open before him; and being all powerful means that you have all ability to do anything that you want to do; and having all power means that you can do all things. God is already perfect in all ways. Therefore to God belongs the title “the same.”
The next verse we need to examine is found in the book of Hebrews and testifies about Jesus Christ and his nature. Notice Hebrews 13:8 which states, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” As we look to this verse, we must be willing to admit that it is straight forward and states the obvious. Seeing how God is the only one who can be qualified as the same, then the text in Hebrews not only tells us that Jesus has been and will be consistent with who he is, but also by his very nature and being, is the same. Whether it was before he took upon himself a body of flesh, or at the age of 12 when he was found in the temple reasoning the scriptures and even through the events of the death, burial, resurrection and ascension, Jesus has been the same and Jesus will be the same through all eternity.
The last verse that we will use to round out our fact that God is 100% consistent with who he is and what he does is found in the book of James. James 1:17 states, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” As we look to the truths that we can glean from this scripture let us as always be honest with what is established by God’s Word. We all know and believe that everything that we have in our lives that is good and perfect comes down from God. To think any differently is contrary to the Word of God. Faith, hope and love are all of God. The abilities that we have are all God-given. Even children are a heritage from the Lord. The truth that everything we have that is good is from God and is self evident, so we will just look to the last two statements in this verse.
“With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” The word variableness carries the idea of being fickle. God is not fickle. He does not have the ability to be inconsistent. He has no shadow of turning. He looks neither to the right or the left. His face is like flint and he goes one direction and one only. He stands, walks, lives and breathes His Word. God is 100% consistent with His Truth and with the application of His Truth.
Let us recap and examine the 4 main thoughts that I want us to glean from the scriptures that we have just looked into:
The God of all is self-existent and does not change. In view of this unchangeable nature, Jacob shall not be consumed. Malachi 3:6
Even though the heavens and the earth shall pass away, God shall remain and God is the only one who can be labeled the same. Psalm 102:26-27
Jesus Christ is the same in all past, present and future context. Hebrews 13:8
God is not fickle and he has not one ounce of variableness in him. He is the same always and is headed in one direction and one only. James 1:17
We can see by the above scriptures that God does not change. He is always one direction and one direction only. He has no shadow of turning and is the only one who can be labeled as the same. Too many people today are inconsistent with the Word of God when it comes to interpretation. Let us be consistent because God is consistent. Our third fact that we will add to our list is that God is the same and consistent in everything he does.
Now notice the last statement which I quoted, “But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.” This verse gives us further insight into the nature and character of God. Notice that the statement is made that God is the same and his years shall have no end. To be qualified as the same, you must be 100% the same every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week etc. for all of eternity. If you change anything on even the slightest variation, then the word same cannot apply. Not only that, but to even imply that God has changed in any form, fashion, way, style or any other word that would be applicable would be to say that God is not perfect. Total perfection means there is nothing that can be or needs to be changed.
To imply change gives only two options. You change for the worse, or you change for the better. Seeing how God is 100% holy and righteous, has no sin, is impossible for Him to sin and is perfect in everything that he has done and will do, God is the only one who can be qualified as the same. As far as getting any better, how could it be possible for the ever present, all knowing and all powerful God of Heaven to get any better? The answer is that it cannot be done. He already knows everything, he is everywhere at all times and everything is open before him; and being all powerful means that you have all ability to do anything that you want to do; and having all power means that you can do all things. God is already perfect in all ways. Therefore to God belongs the title “the same.”
The next verse we need to examine is found in the book of Hebrews and testifies about Jesus Christ and his nature. Notice Hebrews 13:8 which states, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” As we look to this verse, we must be willing to admit that it is straight forward and states the obvious. Seeing how God is the only one who can be qualified as the same, then the text in Hebrews not only tells us that Jesus has been and will be consistent with who he is, but also by his very nature and being, is the same. Whether it was before he took upon himself a body of flesh, or at the age of 12 when he was found in the temple reasoning the scriptures and even through the events of the death, burial, resurrection and ascension, Jesus has been the same and Jesus will be the same through all eternity.
The last verse that we will use to round out our fact that God is 100% consistent with who he is and what he does is found in the book of James. James 1:17 states, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” As we look to the truths that we can glean from this scripture let us as always be honest with what is established by God’s Word. We all know and believe that everything that we have in our lives that is good and perfect comes down from God. To think any differently is contrary to the Word of God. Faith, hope and love are all of God. The abilities that we have are all God-given. Even children are a heritage from the Lord. The truth that everything we have that is good is from God and is self evident, so we will just look to the last two statements in this verse.
“With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” The word variableness carries the idea of being fickle. God is not fickle. He does not have the ability to be inconsistent. He has no shadow of turning. He looks neither to the right or the left. His face is like flint and he goes one direction and one only. He stands, walks, lives and breathes His Word. God is 100% consistent with His Truth and with the application of His Truth.
Let us recap and examine the 4 main thoughts that I want us to glean from the scriptures that we have just looked into:
The God of all is self-existent and does not change. In view of this unchangeable nature, Jacob shall not be consumed. Malachi 3:6
Even though the heavens and the earth shall pass away, God shall remain and God is the only one who can be labeled the same. Psalm 102:26-27
Jesus Christ is the same in all past, present and future context. Hebrews 13:8
God is not fickle and he has not one ounce of variableness in him. He is the same always and is headed in one direction and one only. James 1:17
We can see by the above scriptures that God does not change. He is always one direction and one direction only. He has no shadow of turning and is the only one who can be labeled as the same. Too many people today are inconsistent with the Word of God when it comes to interpretation. Let us be consistent because God is consistent. Our third fact that we will add to our list is that God is the same and consistent in everything he does.
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