Does God Change?

Yes, it is true that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The prophet Malachi wrote, “For I, Jehovah, change not” (3:6). In Hebrews 13:8, the inspired penman writes, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yea and forever.”

So it is clear that God doesn’t change. He is Deity. And those characteristics that establish his divinity will never change.

But regarding whether the Lord works miracles today or not, please think about these things.

God’s Actions Toward People Have Changed Through History

Although God doesn’t change, his interaction with humanity, as determined by his sovereign will, has changed throughout history.

The first woman was formed in a special way by a miracle (Genesis 2:18-23). Jehovah took a rib and some flesh from Adam and fashioned a beautiful helper suitable for man. Many of us today have wives — yet we still have all our ribs!

God is still the same, isn’t he? Yes. But as Lord, he operates in his universe as he pleases — consistent with his own will.

The Lord could have accomplished his will in many ways, but he chose to initiate the human family as described above. However, following the original marriage, families would be designed to develop in accordance with natural law. Women and men would be produced by means of the laws of reproduction.

What we must understand is that there was purpose in what he did with Adam. There was a reason for the way he chose to provide Adam with a wife. I am sure you would agree that it was for Adam’s good, for his instruction, and for ours.

Later, God communed directly with the human family in the garden. He no longer does this. Sin separated them from the Lord. Isn’t it true that he changed how he interacted with humanity because of this? Yes, because of his holiness and human sin.

Jehovah once destroyed the world with water, but he promised Noah that he would never again do so (Genesis 9:13-17). He promised humanity that he would change how he deals with us. Can we trust Jehovah to keep his word?

The Law of God through Moses required Israelite men to be circumcised on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3), but to impose such on Christian men today would be sinful (Galatians 5:1ff).

The Lord inspired writers to record his will for humanity, but the Bible is now complete and fully equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God is no longer operating as he once did, but that doesn’t mean his nature has changed.

Isn’t it clear that God can change how he works and interacts with us in order to carry out his divine will without changing his fundamental character and divine attributes?

He does so because he is the sovereign God of the universe. We must humbly submit to his wisdom and trust him that he will do what is right.

What About the Miracles?

So, what about miracles? Did God ever say that they would last forever? Or did he reveal that a time would come when miracles would no longer happen? If so, it should be a simple matter to trust him at his word.

If the Holy Spirit revealed that miracles would cease, they would end and no longer be part of his work among people.

The question, then, is not, “Does God have to change if miracles no longer occur?”

Rather, the correct question is this: “Have miracles already been removed, or is their termination still in the future?”

In order to answer these questions, these additional inquiries would be important:

• What is a miracle?
• What are the identifying characteristics of a miracle?
• What is the purpose of a miracle?
• How did one receive the ability to perform miracles?
• Does the Bible indicate miracles will cease?
• Will miracles continue to the end of time?
• If miracles have ceased, what about all the miracles that some say are happening even now?

These are important questions, aren’t they? Many believe in and trust religious leaders regarding miracles. But let us study what God has revealed, and base our faith on his word.

We have prepared a thorough examination of these questions in our article, What Does the Bible Say About Miracles?. Please review that article and study it with an open Bible and mind.

Regardless of one’s level of understanding on this important theme, I think you would agree that the real issues are:

• What has God actually said about the matter?, and
• Is my faith strong enough to accept his word?

After all, he doesn’t change. Rather, I must humbly conform my thinking and submit my will to his revelation.