The Will
God’s will is the cause of all things that come to pass.
There are various categories of God’s will. There is His decreed will (decee meaning fixed or established especially by order or command). God’s immutable decrees are evident from Scripture (see Deut. 29; Ps. 115:3; 135:6; Is. 45:9-10).
The Bible speaks of God's perceptive will this is His rule of conduct (or authority) which may be disobeyed (Deut. 29:29).There is an aspect of God's will which God desires but does not bring to pass. For example He desires that all men become saved but He does not bring this to pass (cf. 1Tim 2: 3-4; 2Pet. 3:9). Finally there is His permissive will, that which God allows.
Applications
We have been saved by the will of God (Eph. 1:!0-12), and we can know God’s will (Eph. 1:9).
Monday, May 28, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Omnipotence: The Attributes That Are True of God and (in a limited way) Man
Omnipotence
Omnipotence means that God alone is all powerful. There is infinity in His Power. This attribute of God gives life and action to all His other attributes. The Bible refers to El Shaddai (God Almighty) 50 times and it is used only of God. It is the realization of all that He wills (i.e. He has the power to execute His will, Gen. 18:14; Ps. 62:11). This attribute operates through volition; God has not done all that He could do. God can do anything that is not inconsistent of His own character. God will not do anything contrary to His character, such as lying (Heb. 6:8), sin (James 1:13), looking upon iniquity with favor (Hab. 1:13), change (Mal. 3:6), denying Himself (2Tim. 2:13).
Omnipotence includes the power of self limitation. God can use this power to limit Himself as He has done in certain areas.
His omnipotence always operates in conformity with His wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and justice.
He has power over His own power.
His power is without effort (see Gen. 1; Ps. 33:9).
Scriptures
I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (Job 42:2)
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. (Ps. 36:6)
O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. (Ps.66:8-9)
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. (Ps. 147:5)
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee... (Jer. 32:17)
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matt. 19:26)
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev. 19:6)
Applications
God’s power is available to believers (Is. 40:29; Jer. 33:3; Eph. 1:19; 3:20; Philip. 4:13).
No need to fear (Ps. 27:1).
We are to trust in God’s strength (Is. 26:4).
The gospel is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16).
We have God’s power for evangelism (Acts 1:8).
We are can have His Power in Christian service (2Cor. 9:8).
We are kept by God’s power (2Tim. 1:12; 1Pet. 1:1-5).
This power is more than reforming power it's transforming power.
In His awsome presence,
brother John
Omnipotence means that God alone is all powerful. There is infinity in His Power. This attribute of God gives life and action to all His other attributes. The Bible refers to El Shaddai (God Almighty) 50 times and it is used only of God. It is the realization of all that He wills (i.e. He has the power to execute His will, Gen. 18:14; Ps. 62:11). This attribute operates through volition; God has not done all that He could do. God can do anything that is not inconsistent of His own character. God will not do anything contrary to His character, such as lying (Heb. 6:8), sin (James 1:13), looking upon iniquity with favor (Hab. 1:13), change (Mal. 3:6), denying Himself (2Tim. 2:13).
Omnipotence includes the power of self limitation. God can use this power to limit Himself as He has done in certain areas.
His omnipotence always operates in conformity with His wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and justice.
He has power over His own power.
His power is without effort (see Gen. 1; Ps. 33:9).
Scriptures
I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (Job 42:2)
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. (Ps. 36:6)
O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. (Ps.66:8-9)
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. (Ps. 147:5)
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee... (Jer. 32:17)
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matt. 19:26)
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev. 19:6)
Applications
God’s power is available to believers (Is. 40:29; Jer. 33:3; Eph. 1:19; 3:20; Philip. 4:13).
No need to fear (Ps. 27:1).
We are to trust in God’s strength (Is. 26:4).
The gospel is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16).
We have God’s power for evangelism (Acts 1:8).
We are can have His Power in Christian service (2Cor. 9:8).
We are kept by God’s power (2Tim. 1:12; 1Pet. 1:1-5).
This power is more than reforming power it's transforming power.
In His awsome presence,
brother John
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Omniscience: Atributes That Are True of God and (in a limited way) Man
I will now shift gears and aim the spotlight on the Communicable; Moral; Eminent or Transitive; Relative; Constitutional; Positive; Active Attributes, these are the divine attributes that are true of God and in a limited way they are true of man too (for further explanation see What’s an Attribute.
Omniscience
Omniscience as many of you know means all knowing. Our God is all knowing, He is infinite in wisdom, and His omniscience is eternal and immutable, including His infinite understanding (Ps. 147:4-5).
He knows all there is to know about everything.
He has total knowledge of all things concerning Himself (Matt. 17:27; 1Cor. 2:11).
He has total knowledge of everything past, present, and future, to Him they are all the same. Everything follows it’s chronological sequence, yet God is not bound by it (Is. 46:10; Acts 15:18).
He has total knowledge of all things both possible and actual (1Sam. 23:11-12; Matt. 11:21-24).
He knows without the discovery of facts, He does not have to investigate, He knows it all (Is. 40:13-14; Rom. 11:34-36).
He has total knowledge of His own world. Duh!
He has total knowledge of His inanimate creation (Ps. 147:4).
He has total knowledge of His animal creation (Matt. 10:29).
He has total knowledge man, and man’s works (Ps. 33:13-15; Pr. 5:21).
He has total knowledge of man’s thoughts and hearts (Ps. 139:1-4).
He has total knowledge of man’s needs (Matt. 6:8).
He has total knowledge of man’s wants (Matt. 6:32).
He has total knowledge of man’s sorrows (Ex. 3:7).
He has detailed knowledge of the facts of life (Matt. 10:30).
Scriptures
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. (Is. 66:18)
For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. (Jer. 16:17)
And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them. (Ez. 11:5)
Application
We will be justified (Job 23:10). Our wants are known to Him (Matt. 6:31-32). It is incentive for a Christian walk (Col. 1:10). It is the source of our wisdom (James 1:3).
There are some things that even God does not know.
Six things God does not know
1 He does not know a sin He doesn’t hate.
2 He does not know a sinner He doesn't love.
3 He does not know a better place than Heaven.
4. He does not know a more horrifying place than Hell.
5. He does not know any other way to be saved than faith alone in Christ alone.
6. He does not know a better time to get saved than now.
Stay salty,
Brother John
Omniscience
Omniscience as many of you know means all knowing. Our God is all knowing, He is infinite in wisdom, and His omniscience is eternal and immutable, including His infinite understanding (Ps. 147:4-5).
He knows all there is to know about everything.
He has total knowledge of all things concerning Himself (Matt. 17:27; 1Cor. 2:11).
He has total knowledge of everything past, present, and future, to Him they are all the same. Everything follows it’s chronological sequence, yet God is not bound by it (Is. 46:10; Acts 15:18).
He has total knowledge of all things both possible and actual (1Sam. 23:11-12; Matt. 11:21-24).
He knows without the discovery of facts, He does not have to investigate, He knows it all (Is. 40:13-14; Rom. 11:34-36).
He has total knowledge of His own world. Duh!
He has total knowledge of His inanimate creation (Ps. 147:4).
He has total knowledge of His animal creation (Matt. 10:29).
He has total knowledge man, and man’s works (Ps. 33:13-15; Pr. 5:21).
He has total knowledge of man’s thoughts and hearts (Ps. 139:1-4).
He has total knowledge of man’s needs (Matt. 6:8).
He has total knowledge of man’s wants (Matt. 6:32).
He has total knowledge of man’s sorrows (Ex. 3:7).
He has detailed knowledge of the facts of life (Matt. 10:30).
Scriptures
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. (Is. 66:18)
For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. (Jer. 16:17)
And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them. (Ez. 11:5)
Application
We will be justified (Job 23:10). Our wants are known to Him (Matt. 6:31-32). It is incentive for a Christian walk (Col. 1:10). It is the source of our wisdom (James 1:3).
There are some things that even God does not know.
Six things God does not know
1 He does not know a sin He doesn’t hate.
2 He does not know a sinner He doesn't love.
3 He does not know a better place than Heaven.
4. He does not know a more horrifying place than Hell.
5. He does not know any other way to be saved than faith alone in Christ alone.
6. He does not know a better time to get saved than now.
Stay salty,
Brother John
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Sovereignty: The Attributes that Are True of God Alone
Sovereignty
Sovereignty means God is the Supreme Ruler; He is King of Heaven and Earth, having all power and authority, not necessarily being all controlling.
Specifics of God’s sovereignty
His sovereignty is universal.
His sovereignty is absolute.
His sovereignty is immutable.
Examples of God’s exercise of His sovereignty include
The establishment of the physical laws of the universe.
His determining power in nature (i.e. differing orders, and assignment of each in it's appropriate place).
His determining power in people (i.e. appointing of each individual, in position and lot).
His distribution of favors.
Scripture
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. (1Sam. 2:6-8)
Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. (1Chro. 29:11-12)
[Jehoshaphat]... said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name... (Chro. 20:6-8)
How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! (Ps. 47:2 NIV)
But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. (Ps. 115:3)
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Dan. 4:35)
Application
Nothing that ever happens to us is outside of God’s own directive. It is His sovereignty that produces salvation (Eph. 1:4-6), and the means by which our salvation is worked out (Phil. 2:13), for this reason we should be greatful and give Him praise and thanks. No trouble can come upon us except that which God permits, because of this we can be couragous in the face of our fears (cf. Job 1).
In His fellowship,
Brother John
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Immensity: The Attributes That Are Only True of God
Immensity
Immensity is infinity in relationship to space. God is not restricted by space. God fills all things, and God surpasses all creation, and extends without end. God is the cause of space. God is not in space; instead space is actually in God.
Scripture
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. (Deut. 4:39)
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? (1Kings 8:27)
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? (Is. 66:1)
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (Jer. 23:24)
...the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph. 1:23)
Application
We can trust in the greatness of God. Great things can be done by ordinary people who place their lives in the hands of our immense God.
In His glorious fellowship,
Brother John
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Omnipresence: The Attributes That Are Only True of God
Omnipresence
Omnipresence means God is present everywhere at the same time. This relates God to the universe where other beings are present. Related to the doctrine of God’s omnipresence are:
Immanence
Immanence means God is within the world, and acting within and through His creation.
Transcendence
Transcendence means God is separate from His creation.
Here are some errors to be avoided:
False: God is diffused through space; so that only parts of Him are present everywhere.
True: God is one and cannot be divided, and He is wholly present in every place.
____________________________
False: God presence is everywhere in the same sense.
True: God’s special dwelling is in Heaven. His presence is different with believers than with unbelievers.
____________________________
False: God’s presence is in bodily or material form.
True: God is a Spirit, and God is invisible.
____________________________
False: Pantheism, God is everything and everything is God.
True: God is distinct from His creation. Pantheism is confusion of the Creator with the created.
____________________________
Scripture
And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? (Gen. 16:13)
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (Ps. 139:7-12)
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Prov. 15:3)
Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (Jer. 23:23-24)
Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down… (Amos 9:2)
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us… (Acts 17:27)
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Heb. 4:13)
Application
There are four areas of application.
Comfort, for God is always near us (Ex. 33:14).
Prayer, we pray to someone who is very near. We can pray for others who are far away, and know that God touches them there.
Incentive to dedicated Christian service, knowing that we can go nowhere that God is not near (Josh. 1:9; Job 34:21-22).
Protection, we are under God’s protection. He always sees us every place we may be (Gen. 28:15; Ps. 121:3-4; Heb. 13:5).
The blessing of knowing that God is always near me gives me great comfort I hope it is a comfort to you too.
Stay salty,
Brother John
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Immutability: The Attributes That Are Only True of God
Immutability
Immutability means God is unchanging and unchangeable. He is not capable or susceptible to change; this is true of His essence and character. This does not mean inactivity or immobility.
Scripture
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. (Ps. 102:25-27)
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Mal. 3:6)
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (Heb. 1:12)
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 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... (Heb. 6:17-18)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
Is this problematic? Perhaps it is, we may ask, “Why does Scripture speak of God ‘repenting’ if He is so immutable?”
Some Apparent Contradictions
God Does Not Repent
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Num. 23:19)
And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. (1Sam. 15:29)
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Ps. 110:4)
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Rom. 11:29)
God Does Repent
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (Gen. 6:6)
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (Ex. 32:14)
11) It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. 35) And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. (1Sam. 15:11, 35)
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. (2Sam. 24:16)
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? (Joel 2:13-14)
3) The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD. 6) The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD. (Amos 7:3, 6)
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (Jonah 3:10)
Principles For Reconciling This Difficulty
To reconcile these things we must remember that the Scriptures use *anthropomorphisms, and we also need to realize that the change is really in man and not in God. To put it more plainly, the change is in the way God’s plan is unfolded to man, not in the plan it’s self. Scriptures do indicate that God has an eternal plan. The plan is fixed, it does not change, the change is in the way the plan is unfolded to man (Jer. 18:8).
The Solution
From a human perspective God sometimes appears to change or to repent. From divine view point no change has ever taken place.
Here are Five Areas of Immutability
Power
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (Rom. 4:20-21)
Plan and Purpose
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. (Is. 46:9-10)
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Rom. 11:29)
Promises
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. (1Kings 8:56)
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2Cor. 1:20)
Love and Mercy
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children... (Ps. 103:17)
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Mal.3:6)
Justice
(See Gen. 18:17-33).
Application
We can rely on God’s unchanging Word. God will not change His faithfulness. We can depend on God’s promises (Num. 23:19; 1Kings 8:56; 2Cor. 1:20; Titus 1:2; Heb. 10:23; 11:11). We can rely on God’s forgiveness (1John 1:9). We can rely on God keeping us (2Tim. 2:11- 13). God is imutable.
Stay salty,
Brother John
*God does express Himself by use of anthropomorphisms.
Anthropomorphism means the characteristics of God that are stated in terms of human elements.
Some examples of anthropomorphisms are:
Mouth... Isaiah 1:20
Nostrils... 2Sam. 22:9
Back... Exodus 33:23
Hands... Ex. 33:22; Isaiah 65:2
Arms... Deuteronomy 33:27
Ears... Isaiah 59:1
Eyes... 2Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 11:4, 34:15
Face... Exodus 33:11 and
Feet... Isaiah 66:1
Immutability means God is unchanging and unchangeable. He is not capable or susceptible to change; this is true of His essence and character. This does not mean inactivity or immobility.
Scripture
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. (Ps. 102:25-27)
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Mal. 3:6)
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (Heb. 1:12)
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 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... (Heb. 6:17-18)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
Is this problematic? Perhaps it is, we may ask, “Why does Scripture speak of God ‘repenting’ if He is so immutable?”
Some Apparent Contradictions
God Does Not Repent
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Num. 23:19)
And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. (1Sam. 15:29)
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Ps. 110:4)
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Rom. 11:29)
God Does Repent
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (Gen. 6:6)
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (Ex. 32:14)
11) It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. 35) And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. (1Sam. 15:11, 35)
And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. (2Sam. 24:16)
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? (Joel 2:13-14)
3) The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD. 6) The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD. (Amos 7:3, 6)
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (Jonah 3:10)
Principles For Reconciling This Difficulty
To reconcile these things we must remember that the Scriptures use *anthropomorphisms, and we also need to realize that the change is really in man and not in God. To put it more plainly, the change is in the way God’s plan is unfolded to man, not in the plan it’s self. Scriptures do indicate that God has an eternal plan. The plan is fixed, it does not change, the change is in the way the plan is unfolded to man (Jer. 18:8).
The Solution
From a human perspective God sometimes appears to change or to repent. From divine view point no change has ever taken place.
Here are Five Areas of Immutability
Power
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (Rom. 4:20-21)
Plan and Purpose
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. (Is. 46:9-10)
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Rom. 11:29)
Promises
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. (1Kings 8:56)
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2Cor. 1:20)
Love and Mercy
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children... (Ps. 103:17)
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Mal.3:6)
Justice
(See Gen. 18:17-33).
Application
We can rely on God’s unchanging Word. God will not change His faithfulness. We can depend on God’s promises (Num. 23:19; 1Kings 8:56; 2Cor. 1:20; Titus 1:2; Heb. 10:23; 11:11). We can rely on God’s forgiveness (1John 1:9). We can rely on God keeping us (2Tim. 2:11- 13). God is imutable.
Stay salty,
Brother John
*God does express Himself by use of anthropomorphisms.
Anthropomorphism means the characteristics of God that are stated in terms of human elements.
Some examples of anthropomorphisms are:
Mouth... Isaiah 1:20
Nostrils... 2Sam. 22:9
Back... Exodus 33:23
Hands... Ex. 33:22; Isaiah 65:2
Arms... Deuteronomy 33:27
Ears... Isaiah 59:1
Eyes... 2Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 11:4, 34:15
Face... Exodus 33:11 and
Feet... Isaiah 66:1
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