Some Things Do Not Change!

January 2025 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Some Things Do Not Change!

In our world, those who rule in government are replaced from time to time. Along with the changes in leadership, the expectations and character of the area under that leadership may change as well. Often the changes, as seen from a biblical perspective, are for the worse, going along with the general decline in the world today. A review of the judges in Israel, or the kings of Israel and Judah who ruled later, are examples of the deteriorating process we see now (consider Jer. 2:11).

Things with God are entirely different! “The LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth … God is the King of all the earth; Sing praise with understanding” (Ps. 47:2,7 NKJV). As to human rulers, Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Even when new people take up positions in government, the power and authority of our God does not change.

Similarly, the way to heaven does not change: it is only through faith in God’s Son – the Lord Jesus Christ – as the Bible says! Our own perceptions in this matter, the ideas of others, and the positions of pastors or churches are meaningless when they are contrary to the Word of God. Writing to believers in Ephesus, the apostle Paul said, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). If you are expecting to get to heaven on your own merits, please reconsider your position now. By God’s standard, all that we think would be sufficient for us to go to heaven, apart from faith, “are like filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6). While this last verse is in the Old Testament, God’s standard has not changed, and the door of opportunity is drawing to a close.

Even as we see things going from bad to worse, we know that He remains the same (Heb. 13:8). Therefore, it is with joy that we echo the words of Albert B. Simpson (1843–1919):

“O how sweet the glorious message, simple faith may claim; Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same. Still He loves to save the sinful, heal the sick and lame; Cheer the mourner, still the tempest, glory to His name!”

By Paul Alberts