God's Immutable Nature

I have been endeavoring to read through books of the Old Testament for my reading each night before I go to bed, and right now I am on Jeremiah. In previous books, I would read several chapters at a time, but I have slowed to one chapter for this book, as it is very significant and at times quite terrible in its pronouncements to Israel.

However, in reading this book, I find a great truth. God is immutable, meaning that He has not changed. Webster more specifically defines it as "not capable or susceptible of change."

Why do I bring up this point in connection with Jeremiah? Because God's methods have not change from the Old Testament to the New Testament. There is a perception, perhaps even with some in evangelical circles, that after New Testament times, God is not the angry God of the Old Testament and is instead merciful and loving--like he has changed.

But the methods used by God through Christ in John 6 and in countless other places where the Word is preached by the Apostles, the same methods are used in Jeremiah!

Jeremiah 22:1, 4-6 "Thus says the LORD: 'Go down to the house of the king of Judah and speak there this word, "Hear the Word of the LORD...For if you will indeed obey this word, then there shall enter the gates of this house kings who sit on the thrones of David...But if you will not obey these words, I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation." ESV

In Chapter 18, the imagery is much more stark, of the LORD asking them to turn from their ways, and they do not, over and over again.

To me this is a great reminder of grace in that we are ALL headed on the path to destruction, but in His grace He calls out to us, to take the exit off the road into safety. For those thinking that anyone on his or her human might or effort can come to Christ without a quickening or awakening move of the Holy Spirit--the nation of Israel were a chosen people and yet they forsaked the living God countless times. When Christ came humanity's heart was not instantly changed--remember it was them, in the hardness of their hearts, that crucified Him. Humanity still has the same hardness of heart as it always has. For true faith and repentance to be present as it was in Abraham and in apostles such as Paul and Peter, God must actively work, as He always has, and always will. Because He doesn't change.

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I hope to post a few other things I've been thinking on--one being on the importance of family, and the other on whether a crusade/cause can actually overshadow the importance of Scripture.