Always the same. While each of us has habits that seem to be constant in our lives, there is a starting point and usually an end to those habits. While our habits change, we also change physically. At the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, scientific studies revealed that our bodies replace about 330 billion cells per day. To keep up with this number of cells, our bodies must make over 3.8 million new cells every second. That is constant change! The world around us is in constant motion, it is ever-changing. We are accustomed to change and expect nothing to stay the same. Yet, Hebrews 13:8 teaches us that Jesus never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
The writer of Hebrews was encouraging them by reminding them that the Savior they had placed their faith in would never change. He was not a fickle God or leader who would sustain them today and forsake them tomorrow. He could be trusted for a week, a year, or for a lifetime, just as much as He could be trusted at their salvation when they began their walk with Him. Jesus was unlike any other man because He was the Godman. He was with God from the beginning, and He is God. In John 1:1 we have the affirmation of this truth. In John 1:1 he is called the Word. In John 1:2 He was in the beginning.
John 1:1-2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.”
Jesus is immutable, meaning He never changes, and He cannot be changed. They could persevere because their faith was on a solid foundation. Nothing would ever be able to change Jesus. What He said was always the truth. Since He was God in the flesh, we can apply the attribute of never lying to Him as it is to God the Father in Hebrews 6:18 “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”
Because He is always the same, we can trust His promises. In I John 1:9, we know that when we sin, He will forgive. He tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I have counseled women who felt they could not be forgiven, or they do not feel they are forgiven. I remind them that God cannot lie and if He says He will do something, then it is done! Our part is to believe and not doubt His word. Our feelings should not be our guide. Our guide is the truth of His word.
Because He is always the same, we can always count on His presence. In Joshua 1:5 God told him, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you.” In Hebrews 13:5 God is teaching them that He is enough, and He will take care of them. He gives them a command and a promise of His presence. “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” In John 14:17 Jesus assures His disciples that the Holy Spirit will be with them and in them after He leaves. “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
Because He is always the same, we do not need to worry about our needs for the future. God has promised to supply those. In Philippians 4:19, Paul teaches us “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Note, this does not say all our wants, we have a hard time in America distinguishing between wants and needs. However, God will supply our needs.
When we understand the magnitude of what it means to have an unchangeable God, we should shout a Hallelujah! We never need to worry about the future because His love never changes, His protection never changes, His presence never changes, and His provision never changes. Most of all His forgiveness never changes, as long as we meet the conditions of salvation. This provides us with a home in Heaven with Him forever! I am so thankful my God never changes!
