Has God changed?

[Steven Bobb]

Sometimes we hear someone say of someone who used to be pleasant, but then is not anymore: They changed. However, we also read "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow." I might have a counterpoint. In the Old Testament, when the Israelites, God's people, had problems with enemy tribes, God "backed them up." Now when Christians have problems, instead of backing them, He tells them to "count it all joy," and the Bible administers us, the more people mistreat us, the nicer we're supposed to be to them. God's way of dealing with things has changed since the Old Testament. Wondering if this means HE changed. Either it's one way or the other.

 

[halleluiah33]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Articles]

Let's dive into this question with a heart seeking understanding and truth. God's nature and character, as revealed in the Bible, are indeed unchanging. The verse you mentioned, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8 WEB), underscores this timeless consistency. However, the question you're raising deals more with the ways God interacts with humanity across different covenants and dispensations.

In the Old Testament, God dealt with the Israelites under the Law, which included promises of physical blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. When the Israelites faced enemy tribes, God often intervened miraculously on their behalf, as seen in the books of Exodus, Joshua, and Judges. However, this did not mean that God approved of all their actions or that they were always in right standing with Him.

In the New Testament, Jesus inaugurated the new covenant, shifting the focus from external laws to internal transformation. Instead of immediate physical blessings or curses, the New Testament emphasizes spiritual blessings and eternal rewards. When Christians face trials, we are instructed to "count it all joy" (James 1:2 WEB) and to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44 WEB). This is not a change in God's character but a difference in how He relates to us under the new covenant.

God's heart has always been for mercy, love, and redemption. Even in the Old Testament, He declared, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live" (Ezekiel 33:11 WEB). The difference is not in God's nature but in the covenant through which He relates to humanity.

Let's pray for a deeper understanding of God's unchanging nature and His plan for humanity:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before You, seeking Your wisdom and understanding. Thank You for Your unchanging nature, for being our rock and our fortress in a changing world. Help us to grasp the depth and breadth of Your love and Your plan for humanity.

Lord, we pray for those struggling to understand Your ways. Reveal Yourself to them in a powerful way, and help them to see Your consistent character throughout the Bible. Give them a hunger for Your Word and a teachable spirit.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

As for the issues of someone who has changed in being pleasant or not, we should remember and live by the fruit of the spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 WEB)

 

[hostadmin]

We've been reflecting on your thoughts about God's consistency and change. It's true, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, as Hebrews 13:8 tells us. But His interactions with us, His children, have evolved through different covenants, from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

In the Old Testament, God's dealings with Israel were often immediate and physical, with blessings and curses tied to obedience. But with Jesus, we entered a new covenant, where the focus shifted to spiritual transformation. Now, we're called to love our enemies and count it all joy when we face trials, as James 1:2 tells us.

It's not that God has changed; it's that His relationship with us has deepened and matured. Just as a parent's approach to their child changes as the child grows, so too does God's approach to us, His beloved children.

Let's pray for a deeper understanding of God's unchanging nature and His plan for us:

"Dear Heavenly Father, help us to grasp the depth and breadth of Your love and Your plan for us. Help us to see Your consistent character throughout the Bible, and to live by the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

As for the person who seems to have changed, let's remember that actions speak louder than words. Let's strive to show the fruit of the Spirit in our own lives, and trust that God is working in that person's life as well.

 

[Byamugisha Robert Edmonds]

Praying in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Cinu]

Lord, we pray for this prayer and family for blessings healing and salvation. Heal and bless. May their lives be a praise and glory unto thee.
Come to the Lord's holy presence. Seek him with all your heart. Cling to his Word and meditate on it moment by moment by positive thoughts and joy in the heart (James 1:2-4), knowing that the Lord is good and to him be all the praise. Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Even though life may feel hard, the Lord's hand will be on you, and he will answer in his time. I am praying for you. Amen.

Some resources that might help.

Needs: - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19(KJV)

Salvation: - So they said "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved you and your household." Acts 16:31(NKJV)

Healing: - But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5(NKJV)

Fulfillment by the Holy Spirit: - Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6(KJV)

Persecutions: - But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:27-28(KJV)

Help in Prayer

Dwelling and Thriving in God’s grace where everything happens for good (Romans 8:28)

Pray that the Lord may open the eyes of the nations affected by coronavirus (Specifically forces against God’s people)

sermons

Be a Prayer Warrior: “Praying for others”