In Psalms 33:11, the Psalmist wrote that God's counsel stands forever. In a similar passage from Psalms 102:27, the Psalmist wrote that God is always the same and that He has no end. These passages strongly suggest a God Who is constant, One Who never changes. In Hebrews 13:8, the author wrote that Christ is same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Yet, the Bible also records instances where God does seem to change His mind about some things. In Genesis 6:6, for example, God showed regret at His having created humanity. In Jonah 3:10, He changed His mind about destroying the people of Nineveh. In other passages, He is seen to feel pain. Thus, these contrasting, seemingly contradictory passages cause confusion about a God Who does not change.
Despite these passages which appear to be contradicting an attribute of God, the specific attribute of His constancy, an explanation can be offered which describes His behavior. In the case of Nineveh, God changed His mind about destroying the people because they had changed their mind about serving Him. Jonah had gone to that wicked area and preached a message of repentance. When the people humbled themselves before the Lord, God changed His mind about destroying them. In the passage from Genesis 6:6, God brought judgment to the earth and destroyed all life, with the exception of Noah and his family. According to "The Liberty Illustrated Bible Dictionary," there are seven periods of time, or seven dispensations, for which man must answer to God. Through the act of the Great Flood, God moved civilization from the Conscience Dispensation to the Human Government Dispensation. So, in that instance, God appeared to change, but only so that He could move from one dispensation to another.
At the present time, we are living in the Grace Dispensation. But this, too, will someday change. While we are in this current dispensation, the Bible teaches, in II Peter 3:9, that the Lord is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish. When this dispensation ends, however, God's attitude toward unrepentant sinners will also change. He will no longer be long suffering toward humanity, but will once again bring about worldwide judgment. Despite that, however, God is still a God of love, and His attribute of constancy is still true.
Tom of Spotswood "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lesson 24 - God's Justice Versus God's Love
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