The Immutability of God is Good News for Teenagers
The pandemic and lockdown of 2020 made it abundantly clear how deeply we need a solid rock on which to stand. In the midst of the uncertainty of life and constant change, we need a reliable foundation. This is why it is unexpectedly good news that God does not change.
When teenagers look at the world around them, they see constant change. Nothing is built to last. Planned obsolescence is baked into our culture. Trending news becomes next week’s ancient history. Family tension and divisions only reinforce the perception that unchanging foundations don’t exist.
We need something (or someone) that does not change, and yet remains true, powerful, and life-giving. This is precisely why the immutability of God is good news for teenagers.
The Immutability of God
“Immutability” means God does not change. This is considered an incommunicable attribute, something that is true about God’s nature that is not true of our human nature.
Think about it this way: if something is perfect, any change only makes it worse. If God’s holiness changes, then he is less holy. If his omniscience changes, then he knows less. If his sovereignty changes, then he isn’t truly in control.
On the other side of the change-equation, things can change for the better. When Christians are growing in holiness, they are becoming more righteous. So, if God changes for the better, that would mean he was not perfect in holiness prior to that change.
Consider the follow passages in Scripture.
“I am who I am.” (Exodus 3:14)
“I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” (Malachi 3:6)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
God’s immutability does not mean he is disconnected from our lives. He is not standing far off, as an unmoved observer. Instead, it means the full breadth of God’s attributes are perfect, infinite, and eternal – including his love and compassion and mercy and grace.
God Will Not Love You More Tomorrow Than He Does Today
Do you remember the old song that says, “I love you more today than yesterday… but not as much as tomorrow.” That’s a nicely romantic sentiment. But God cannot sing that song.
God’s love for his children is perfect, infinite, and eternal. It is impossible for God to grow in love, because it is already perfect and steadfast.
If his love changes, there are only two options: he either loves us less today than he did yesterday, or yesterday’s love was imperfect and he’s improved it today.
As Romans 5:8 teaches, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The immutable love of God compelled God the Son to become a man, live among us, endure betrayal and die a painful death in order that sinners could be adopted as children of God.
This is the love of God that does not change. When uncertainty abounds and change seems to be lurking around every corner, you can stand upon the unchanging Solid Rock.
