Creator, Father, King #19

You are always the same; you will live forever.

GOD DOESN’T CHANGE.

We discussed this topic yesterday, and it’s an extremely important part of God’s character to understand and believe. But many people don’t believe it. In fact, lots of folks—including many who call themselves Christians—have fallen prey to a subtle yet popular lie that claims the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament.

“Oh sure, there’s only one God,” these folks readily admit. But then they go on to say, “Look at the stories in the Bible, and you can clearly see that there are two types of God. First, he’s a God of anger and vengeance in the Old Testament, while he’s much more loving and compassionate in the New Testament with the arrival of Jesus.”

Hogwash! Nothing could be further from the truth.

What’s It Mean?

Any attempt to put God in two different categories (Old Testament = God of wrath; New Testament = God of love) is a gross oversimplification, misunderstanding, and discredit to his perfectly unified and wholly consistent character.

It’s true that the Old Testament is filled with stories of God’s wrath against sin. But it’s also filled with countless testimonies of his steadfast love, mercy, and grace. Consider these Old Testament verses:

• The LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. (Psalm 100:5)
• The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. (Psalm 103:8)
• Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. (Ezekiel 18:23)

Likewise, the New Testament is filled with passages of God’s coming wrath. A few examples are Romans 1:18–2:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:1-12; and much of the book of Revelation. Believe it or not, Jesus taught more about hell than anyone else did in Scripture.

The point is, God doesn’t change. God acts in both wrath and love, but he is always perfectly consistent with his holy character. He is always the same!

Now What?

Take some time to scan the book of Psalms (Old Testament) and see how much it mentions God’s mercy, compassion, and love.

Did You Know?

God’s wrath is his righteous anger toward sin. Unlike human anger, it’s always justified and never capricious.