This is a series of ten lessons on the attributes of God. These lessons are not meant for seminary study, but for the everyday believer who wants to gain a practical understanding of the subject for their own personal growth and reading; for small group bible studies, or for teaching and edification in church.

1. ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
LESSON 5
THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD
Ptr./Dr. JF Smith
Faith Missionary Church & Bible Institute
jfrsmth@gmail.com [no “i” in jfrsmth]

2. What does the term immutability mean?
Immutable :
• incapable of change or variation in quality,
form, or nature

3. The immutability of GOD means...
GOD does not change
GOD does not change His mind
GOD does what He says He will do

4. GOD is the SAME, has always been
the same, and always will be the same
Malachi 3:6
For I am the LORD, I change not...
GOD does not need to change, because He is
perfect.

5. Surer than the sun
James 1:17
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.

6. GOD cannot change His mind
If He has to change His mind, it means there was
some defect in his thinking:
something He didn’t know
some new information
something that was not right that had to be changed.
Since we know that GOD knows all things, that could
not be possible.

7. GOD does what He says He will do
(He keeps His word)
Malachi 3:6
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye
sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Sons of Jacob : Israelites (continually disobeyed GOD)

8. Israel did much wickedness
Judges 2:10-12
10 ...there arose another generation after them, which knew
not the LORD...
11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD,
and served Baalim:
12 ...they forsook the LORD God of their fathers… followed
other gods… bowed themselves unto them

9. GOD’s Word to Abraham (Abram)
Genesis 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, …
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee,
and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that
curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be
blessed.

10. Later, it became a covenant (oath)
Genesis 22:17-18
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will
multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand
which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the
gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be
blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

11. (Even though Israel sinned greatly)
GOD kept His word
Land
Earthly: Israel became a great nation
Spiritual: Heaven
Seed
Earthly: A large population
Spiritual: Jesus Christ
Blessing
Earthly: Protection and abundance
Spiritual: Salvation to all nations

12. GOD vs. Man
Job 23:13
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and
what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
GOD always knows what to do...
How to do it… When to do it…
And who should do it...
He always knows where to go… and why!

13. GOD’s immutability is why He is
compared to a Rock
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways
are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just
and right is he.
We change, emotions change, feelings change,
thinking changes but GOD does not change.

14. Repent [here] : change of mind
Numbers 23:19
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?

15. Three Points of Immutability
1. The immutability of GOD’s word
2. The immutability of GOD’s judgment
3. The immutability of GOD’s salvation

17. 1. The immutability of GOD’s Word

18. GOD’s Word
What GOD says, He will DO
What GOD says, is CERTAIN
What GOD says, will COME TO PASS

19. A person’s name is as good as his Word
When we think of a certain person, sometimes we think
He is unreliable
He is reliable
Why?
Because he does not keep his word, or he does keep his word
So, we have a negative or positive view of that person
We do not believe him, or we do believe him

20. GOD says His word is higher than His
name
Psalm 138:2
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise
thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth:
for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy
name.

21. The Israelites had profaned the name of
GOD
Ezekiel 39:7
So will I make my holy name known in the midst
of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute
my holy name any more: and the heathen shall
know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
profaned : dishonored; made it look bad

22. Don’t we do the same sometimes?
Romans 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among the
Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Sometimes we shame the name of the Lord
before the unsaved, by our attitudes,
behaviors, and words.

23. GOD declared what would happen to Israel
for shaming His Holy name
Ezekiel 36:12
Yea, I will cause men to walk upon you, even my
people Israel; and they shall possess thee, and
thou shalt be their inheritance...
And, it happened as GOD said.
He kept His word, for His Holy name’s sake!

24. There is no higher authority than GOD’s
word
Hebrews 6:13
13 For when God made promise to Abraham,
because he could swear by no greater, he
sware by himself
swear : a serious promise; a solemn oath

25. When we swear, we are saying that
we can control all things
Matthew 5:34, 36-37
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is
God's throne:
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not
make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for
whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

26. Just keep your word, as GOD
does
James 5:12
But above all things, my brethren, swear not,
neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither
by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and
your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

27. When we do what we say, we honor
GOD
If we say 10am, then be there at 10am.
If we say I will ___, then do it.
If we agree to something, then we do it/not do it.
honor GOD: to esteem; to revere; to show
submission to; to reflect GOD

28. (When we keep our word)
We are like GOD
Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God…
(A follower is an imitator)
(Also, c/w Matthew 5:45, 48; Luke 6:36)
We have no idea how much/many people watch
Christians

30. 2. The immutability of GOD’s
Judgement

31. Sin brings death
Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the
father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the
soul that sinneth, it shall die (see also 18:20).

32. After death, judgment...
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to
die, but after this the judgment:
Once to die: No reincarnation, no second chance.

33. The unsaved are condemned, the saved
are not...
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but
he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God.
are : a present state

34. The immutability of GOD ensures
that: All shall be judged
Revelation 20:11-12, 15
11 And I saw a great white throne...
12 ...the dead were judged out of those things which were written in
the books, according to their works.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was
cast into the lake of fire.

35. Romans 1:29-32
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,
malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection,
implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such
things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in
them that do them.

36. GOD will not feel sorry about His
judgment
Ezekiel 8:18
Therefore will I also deal in fury: Mine eye shall
not spare, neither will I have pity: and though
they cry in Mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I
not hear them.

37. The immutability of GOD ensures
that: punishment is inevitable
Proverbs 11:21
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be
unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be
delivered.
It is inevitable, because GOD spoke it, GOD does
not change -- He always hates sin

38. The (immutable) HOLINESS of GOD demands everlasting
separation and everlasting punishment!
GOD
Holy, Holy,
Holy
(Isaiah 6:3)
SIN
(Disobedience)

39. The world was judged once before

40. Genesis 6:5
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man
was great in the earth, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was
only evil continually

41. Genesis 6:7 And
the LORD said, I
will destroy man
whom I have
created from the
face of
the earth;

42. The Flood left evidence of GOD’s judgment
2 Peter 3:6
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed
with water, perished:
For this they willingly are ignorant… (2 Peter 3:5)

43. Another judgment is coming

44. This time by fire
2 Peter 3:6-7
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed
with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by
the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire
against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly
men.

45. Will you be saved from it?

46. Believers are not exempt.

48. 3. The immutability of GOD’s
Salvation

50. The immutability of GOD ensures that
salvation is forever
John 6:57
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth
on me hath everlasting life.
hath [has] : present possession

51. John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my
word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
hath [has] : present possession
shall not : future negation
is passed : (perfect) already happened

52. John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but
he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God.
is not condemned : (perfect) negation; already happened

53. GOD keeps His word
Ephesians 1:7
In whom [Jesus Christ] we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
have : present possession

54. The immutability of GOD ensures
that it is everlasting salvation
Roman 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are without
repentance. [repentance : taking back]
This should bring great comfort to believers
who struggle with eternal security

55. But, be sure, be very sure
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith;
prove your own selves. Know ye not your own
selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be
reprobates?
Examine yourself for misplaced faith

56. “Examine yourselves”
Are you trusting in a prayer that you prayed?
Are you trusting in a change in your life?
Are you trusting in an experience?
Are you trusting in your feelings?
... your church?
… your baptism?

57. Or, are you trusting in Jesus Christ alone?
Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which
is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith:
Paul did not care about any other thing (see 3:4-8). The
only thing that mattered to him, was being found in Christ.

58. Let us learn from Abraham
Romans 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it
was counted unto him for righteousness.
Romans 4:21-22
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he
was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

60. Questions people ask about GOD’s
immutability.
1. Does GOD repent (change His mind)?
2. When we pray, can we change GOD’s mind?

61. 1. Does GOD repent?
Genesis 6:6
And it repented the LORD that he had made man
on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

62. Does GOD change His mind?
We must understand statements like
these in the light of GOD’s immutability
as revealed in His Word:
Comparing Scripture with Scripture.

63. We know that GOD is the SAME, has
always been the same, and always
will be the same
Malachi 3:6
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye
sons of Jacob are not consumed.

64. Therefore, repented here cannot mean
that GOD changed His mind
It must mean something else
Another definition of repent
Such as sorrowful
Genesis 6:6
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him
at his heart.

65. What about Nineveh?
Jonah 3:10
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.

66. Nineveh
We must understand statements like these in the light
of GOD’s immutability
Repented here means that GOD’s anger and
intended course of action were assuaged [satisfied]
because they repented
GOD is both holy and merciful
This was a conditional decree

67. repent : turn from an imminent [certain] course of action
Jeremiah 18:8
If that nation, against whom I have
pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent
of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

68. It is going to hit its target.
An imminent course of action
But it is stopped.
Unless stopped (“assuaged”), it would have
hit its target.
Judgment
Mercy
They repented
X

69. Moses interceded for Israel
Exodus 32:9-11, 14
9 And the LORD said unto Moses...
10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them,
and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
11 And Moses besought the LORD his God…
14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his
people.

70. When it comes to these questions,
remember, GOD is omniscient
GOD already knew what Moses would do.
GOD already knew what He would do.
There was no surprise here.

71. Moses a type of Mediator:
a type of Christ
Moses was acting as a mediator between GOD and
Israel so that they would not be destroyed
The wrath of GOD was assuaged through mediation
A type of Jesus Christ (c/w Ac 7:37; Heb 3:1-5)
Remember, GOD is also merciful

72. 2. What about when we pray?
Can we change GOD’s mind?

73. Does prayer change GOD’s mind?
James 4:2
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and
cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not,
because ye ask not
First, it is His will to give us certain things, but
we do not ask.

74. Does prayer change GOD’s mind?
1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have
in him, that, if we ask any thing
according to his will, he heareth us:

75. So, if I pray according to GOD’s will,
does GOD’s mind change?
Q: How do I know GOD’s will?

77. The immutability of GOD can
encourage the believer

78. We can have boldness
Hebrews 13:6
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 …
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and
for ever.

79. We can have confidence because GOD is
immutable
Hebrews 10:19-20
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus
20 By a new and living way, which he hath
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to
say, his flesh

80. We can be comforted
2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God in him are yea,
and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
We can rest upon GOD’s immutable word

81. We can trust that one day, GOD will
make all things right
Isaiah 3:10-11, 13
10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they
shall eat the fruit of their doings.
11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of
his hands shall be given him.
13 The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the
people.

82. Non-believers have reason to tremble
at GOD’s immutability
A believer is one who trusts Jesus Christ.
Many people call themselves Christians.

83. The Day of the Lord is coming
Isaiah 2:12, 17
12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one
that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up;
and he shall be brought low:
17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the
haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone
shall be exalted in that day.

84. John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but
he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God.

85. No reincarnation.
No second chance to get it
right.
Be sure, be very sure.
GOD, will not change His
mind!
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to
die, but after this the judgment:

86. Salvation
Immutable death in sin and separation
vs.
Immutable life in Christ

87. OUR CORRUPT CONDITION (from head to toe)

88. The (immutable) HOLINESS of GOD demands everlasting
separation and everlasting punishment!
GOD
Holy, Holy,
Holy
(Isaiah 6:3)
In the world
(In sin)
SIN

89. The immutable HOLINESS of GOD met GOD’s immutable
MERCY on the Cross of Christ
GOD
Holy, Holy,
Holy
SIN
(Disobedience)
JESUS CHRIST
the
RIGHTEOUS
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

90. JESUS CHRIST did the WORK on the CROSS
2,000 years ago
He did for us, what we
could NOT do for
ourselves . . . please
GOD
“This is my beloved
Son, in whom I am well
pleased” (Matt 3:17).
It is finished
“…he [God the Father] hath given assurance unto all men, in that
he hath raised him [Jesus Christ] from the dead” (Ac 17:31).

91. Christ made the way
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and
the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

92. SIN
Isaiah 53:5
But he was
wounded for our
transgressions, he
was bruised for our
iniquities: the
chastisement of our
peace was upon
him; and with his
stripes we are
healed.
JESUS CHRIST
In the world
(In sin)
In Christ
(Holy and Reconciled)
Believe (Ac 16:30)

94. END OF LESSON 5
QUIZ TIME

95. Basically, the immutability of GOD
means...
1. GOD does not change (He is perfect)
2. GOD does not change His mind
3. GOD does what He says He will do

96. GOD is the SAME, has always been
the same, and always will be the same
Malachi 3:6
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye
sons of Jacob are not consumed.

97. GOD’s immutability is why He is
compared to a Rock
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways
are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just
and right is he.

98. GOD says His word is higher than His
name
Psalm 138:2
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise
thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth:
for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy
name.

99. When we do what we say, we honor
GOD
If we say 10am, then be there at 10am.
If we say I will ___, then do it.
If we agree to something, then we do it/not do it.

100. Sin brings death
Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of
the father, so also the soul of the son is
mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die
(see also 18:20).

101. The immutability of GOD ensures
that: Punishment is inevitable
Proverbs 11:21
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be
unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be
delivered.

102. The immutability of GOD ensures
that: Salvation is forever
John 6:57
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me
hath everlasting life.

103. As believers, we can be comforted by
GOD’s immutability
2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in
him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

104. Non-believers have reason to tremble
at GOD’s immutability

105. Salvation
Immutable death in sin and separation
vs.
Immutable life in Christ

106. END of LESSON 5
The IMMUTABILITY of GOD
NEXT:
Lesson 6
The JUSTICE of GOD