I am the Lord; I change not
William MacDonald teaches that God's immutability—His unchanging nature in being, attributes, and principles—is a source of comfort and a model for believers to emulate steadfastness.
In this teaching sermon, William MacDonald explores the profound biblical truth of God's immutability—His unchanging nature in essence, attributes, and principles. Drawing from key Scriptures, he clarifies common misunderstandings about God's repentance and highlights the comfort this attribute brings to believers. MacDonald also challenges Christians to mirror God's steadfastness in their own lives, encouraging stability and faithfulness in their walk with God.
Text
“I am the Lord; I change not.” (Mal. 3:6)
The attribute of God which describes Him as changeless is called His immutability. He does not change in His essential being. He does not change in His attributes. He does not change in the principles by which He operates.
The psalmist contrasted the changing destiny of the heavens and earth with God’s changelessness: “They shall be changed, but thou art the same” (Psa. 102:26, 27). James describes the Lord as “the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:17).
There are other Scriptures that remind us that God does not repent. “God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent” (Num. 23:19). “The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent” (1 Sam. 15:29).
But what, then, do we do with verses that say that God does repent? “It repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth” (Gen. 6:6). “The Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel” (1 Sam. 15:35b). See also Exodus 32:14 and Jonah 3:10.
There is no contradiction. God always acts on these two principles: He always rewards obedience and always punishes disobedience. When man shifts from obedience to disobedience, God must still be true to His own character by shifting from the first principle to the second. This seems like repentance to us, and it is so described in what we might call the language of human appearance. But it does not indicate regret or changeableness.
God is always the same. In fact, that is one of His names. “…thou, the Same, thou alone art the God of all the kingdoms of the earth” (Isa. 37:16, Darby). That name is also found in 2 Sam. 7:28 Margin, Psa. 102:27 and Isa. 41:4 Margin, all in Darby’s translation.
The immutability of God has been a comfort to His saints in all ages, and a theme of their song. We celebrate it in the immortal lines of Henry F. Lyte:
Change and decay in all around I see—
O thou who changest not, abide with me!
It is also a quality for us to imitate. We should be stable, constant and stedfast. If we are vacillating, fickle and mercurial, we misrepresent our Father to the world.
“Be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Definition of God's immutability
- God's unchanging nature in being and attributes
- Principles by which God operates do not change
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II
- Scriptural evidence of God's changelessness
- Contrast between creation's change and God's constancy
- God as the 'Father of lights' without variation
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III
- Addressing verses that suggest God repents
- Explanation of repentance as human language for God's consistent principles
- God's justice in rewarding obedience and punishing disobedience
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IV
- The comfort and assurance in God's immutability
- Call for believers to imitate God's steadfastness
- Encouragement to be stable and constant in faith and service
Key Quotes
“I am the Lord; I change not. (Mal. 3:6)” — William MacDonald
“God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent (Num. 23:19).” — William MacDonald
“Be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Trust in God's unchanging character as a foundation for your faith.
- Respond to life's changes by remaining steadfast and constant in your service to the Lord.
- Reflect God's immutability by cultivating stability and faithfulness in your daily walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God is immutable?
God's immutability means He does not change in His essential nature, attributes, or the principles by which He governs.
How can God be said to repent if He is unchanging?
Scriptures describing God's repentance use human language to express His consistent response to human obedience or disobedience, not a change in His nature.
Why is God's immutability important for believers?
It provides comfort and assurance that God's promises and character remain constant, encouraging believers to trust Him fully.
How should Christians reflect God's immutability?
Believers are called to be steadfast, stable, and unmovable in their faith and service, reflecting God's unchanging nature.
What biblical passages highlight God's unchanging nature?
Key passages include Malachi 3:6, Psalm 102:26-27, James 1:17, and Numbers 23:19.