[ambcovenant]

The Bible portrays God as unchanging, a quality theologians term His immutability. Scriptures such as Malachi 3:6 (“For I the LORD do not change”) and Hebrews 13:8 (“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”) emphasize this aspect of God’s character. However, there are instances in Scripture where God appears to change His mind, leading to debates about how to reconcile these passages with His unchanging nature. These instances, often termed “divine relenting,” reveal God’s interaction with humanity and demonstrate His character in a profound way.
One of the clearest examples of God appearing to change His mind is found in the story of Jonah and Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-10). God sent Jonah to proclaim His judgment upon Nineveh, declaring that the city would be overthrown in forty days due to its wickedness. However, when the people of Nineveh repented in sackcloth and ashes, God “relented concerning the disaster He had declared He would bring upon them, and He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10). At first glance, this might suggest that God changed His mind. Yet, this instance showcases God’s mercy and willingness to respond to human repentance, consistent with His character as a compassionate and forgiving God (Joel 2:13).
Another example is Moses’ intercession for Israel after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32:7-14). When the Israelites worshiped the golden calf, God told Moses that He would destroy them and make a new nation from Moses’ descendants. Moses pleaded with God, reminding Him of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Verse 14 states, “So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.” While it may seem that God changed His mind, this passage reveals His openness to intercession and His faithfulness to His covenant.
In Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham interceded for Sodom, asking God to spare the city if righteous people could be found within it. Although the city was ultimately destroyed due to a lack of righteousness, this interaction highlights God’s willingness to engage in dialogue and His patience before executing judgment.
Reconciling these instances with God’s unchanging nature requires an understanding of God’s immutability in the context of His relational character. God’s essence—His nature, purposes, and promises—does not change. His justice, mercy, love, and holiness remain constant. What changes is how He expresses these attributes in response to human actions. In other words, God’s “relenting” does not indicate a shift in His character but rather His consistent application of justice and mercy based on the choices of people.
The concept of divine foreknowledge further clarifies this tension. God’s omniscience means that He knows all outcomes before they occur. When God “changes His mind,” it is not because He gains new knowledge or reevaluates a decision as humans do. Instead, these moments are part of His sovereign plan, designed to demonstrate His attributes and invite humanity into relationship with Him. For instance, God’s willingness to relent in response to repentance reveals His merciful nature, while His declarations of judgment highlight His justice.
The language used in Scripture to describe God’s actions often accommodates human understanding. Anthropomorphic expressions, such as God “relenting” or “changing His mind,” help finite humans grasp the infinite nature of God’s interactions. These terms do not suggest that God is indecisive but illustrate His dynamic relationship with creation.
In conclusion, God’s unchanging nature is not contradicted by instances where He appears to change His mind. These events demonstrate His consistent character—just, merciful, and faithful—responding to the free choices of humanity. As He engages with His creation, His actions reflect His unchanging purposes and reveal the depth of His relational nature. Through these interactions, we see a God who remains steadfast in His essence while lovingly inviting humanity into a transformative relationship.

[ambcovenant]

The statement “Good works that stem out of a relationship with Christ Jesus are witnesses for Jesus” is valid when we understand the role of good works in the life of a Christian. While it is true that we are not saved by good works, as Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states, good works still play an important role. They do not save us, but they serve as a testimony to the world about the transforming power of Christ in our lives.

Salvation is Not by Works
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This verse makes it clear that salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned through good deeds. We are saved solely through faith in Jesus Christ and His grace, not by anything we do.
Although good works cannot save us, they are a natural result of salvation. In Ephesians 2:10, the Bible says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” This means that after we are saved, God has a purpose for our lives, and part of that purpose is to do good works. These works are the evidence that we have been transformed by God’s grace and that we are living according to His will.

Good Works as a Witness to Others
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” This verse highlights the idea that our good works should not be done for our own benefit or recognition, but to point others to God. When we live out our faith through acts of kindness, love, and service, others will see the difference Christ has made in our lives and be drawn to Him. Our good works become a powerful witness to the world, reflecting the light of Christ.

Faith and Works Go Together
James 2:14-26 teaches that faith without works is dead. This doesn’t mean that works are necessary for salvation, but it does show that genuine faith will always produce good works. Paul also emphasizes in Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” This means that our faith in Christ, when truly alive, will naturally lead to actions that demonstrate God’s love to others.

In conclusion, the statement that “Good works that stem out of a relationship with Christ Jesus are witnesses for Jesus” is valid. Good works are not the means by which we are saved, but they are the evidence of our salvation. When we have a genuine relationship with Christ, our lives will be transformed, and our good works will reflect His love and grace to the world. As Matthew 5:16 reminds us, our good works serve as a witness to others, drawing them to God and giving glory to Him.

[ambcovenant]

The Gospel of John is indeed rich with passages affirming the deity of Jesus Christ, portraying Him as the eternal Son of God who shares the divine nature with the Father.

Here are four key passages from John’s Gospel that emphasize Jesus’ divine identity:

1. John 1:1-3 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made.”

In this opening passage, John establishes Jesus as the “Word” (Logos), who was both with God and is God from the beginning. This underscores the eternal existence and creative power of Christ, placing Him above all creation as co-creator with the Father. The phrase “the Word was God” affirms His divinity, directly declaring that Jesus shares in the divine essence of God.

2. John 8:58 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!’”*
Here, Jesus identifies Himself with the divine name “I AM,” which God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. By using this title, Jesus asserts His pre-existence and divine nature, suggesting He is not bound by time or lineage. This declaration directly associates Him with the eternal God of Israel, causing great offense to the religious leaders, who saw this as a clear claim to divinity.

3. John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.”
Jesus’ assertion of unity with the Father goes beyond a mere agreement in purpose or will. This oneness implies a unity of nature and essence, which was understood by His listeners as a claim to deity. The subsequent reaction, where people attempted to stone Him for blasphemy, demonstrates that they recognized this as a declaration of equality with God.

4. John 14:9 – “Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
Jesus reveals to Philip that seeing Him is the same as seeing the Father, which speaks to His divine representation of God on earth. This doesn’t just imply that Jesus reflects God’s character; it suggests a deep unity where the fullness of God is revealed in Him. Jesus, therefore, becomes the visible expression of the invisible God.

Each of these passages illuminates a different aspect of Jesus’ deity as portrayed in John. John 1:1-3 presents Him as the eternal, creative Word of God, co-equal with the Father. John 8:58 and John 10:30 reveal His timeless existence and unity with God, showing His divine self-identification and equality with the Father. Lastly, John 14:9 communicates that to know Jesus is to know God Himself, as He fully embodies God’s nature. In these verses, John paints a powerful picture of Jesus as truly God in human form, confirming the divine mystery of the incarnation—that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. Through these revelations, John’s Gospel calls us to recognize Jesus’ divine authority, respond to Him with reverence, and embrace the life He offers as the divine Son who came to bring salvation.

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