What does God's immutability mean?
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| Theologian Jonathan Edwards (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
It is likely the most overlooked, unknown attribute of the living God. We do not pit one attribute against another or to rank in relative importance the attributes of God. Like God is only love. The doctrine of His simplicity reminds us that God is one, that He is not composed of parts. God doesn't find balance between competing qualities, as if His wrath were muted by His grace, or His love tempered by His holiness. These are all one, the same thing. In the end all of what He is He is because He is God.
Which, in the end, is why His immutability is so vitally important. This attribute is that which enables us to depend on God to be God. It is why we can be certain that every excellency, every perfection, indeed every promise of God is utterly inviolable.
Jonathan Edwards wisely pointed out that this is one of the reasons the heathen hate him so much. They have other potent enemies. But those enemies can grow weak. They have other angry enemies, but they can be calmed. They have other knowing enemies, but they can be fooled. The God of heaven and earth, on the other hand, will never cease to be all-powerful. His wrath will never turn from sin. And His eyes will never grow dim.
God's immutability is a promise, a covenant promise. The grass withers. The flower fades. But the Word of our God endures forever.
