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THINKING POINTS FOR BIBLE CHRISTIANS

GOD
Does He Change?
Or

Does He Not Change?


A Consideration of Biblical Passages About God, Jesus, & Us
By Ronnie Bray

God:
Does He change Does He Not Change?
When the Bible says God doesn't change, have you asked yourself what that means? For example, if God had never been incarnated before, and then, suddenly, he was incarnated, would that be a change? If God is also Jesus, as taught in historical Christianity since the fourth century, what changes did God have to go through to take on himself a body of flesh and bones? Then, when he was crucified, if God the Father is also Jesus the Son of Himself, what changes did he have to undergo for his spirit to leave his body? Later, when his spirit came back into his body and made it live again, incorruptible, never again to die, what changes did that involve? There is so much in the Bible that goes unnoticed about Jesus, but I invite you to read one passage and consider its implications for you, as a Christian. Now, if, as the RCC and Mainstream Protestant denominations teach, Jesus is God the Father, and God the Father is Jesus Christ, and there is only one of him,

including the Holy Ghost, then God the Father was born as a baby, grew to manhood, taught for three years, was crucified, died, and rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of God the Father in heaven, how many changes is that and why is it wrong to think of God-Jesus as an exalted man? Isnt that what we read about Jesus in the creeds? You can either look at God through the Bible with a Mormon hat on, or you can look at God through the creeds with a Catholic/Protestant, etc, hat on, but you can't do both at the same time. There is so much in the Bible that goes unnoticed about Jesus, Christ the Son of God the Father, but I invite you to read one passage and consider its implications for you, as a Christian. Philippians 2:9-11 9. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him [this refers to Jesus] and given Him the name which is above every name, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11. and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Notice first of all that God the Father has exalted Jesus Christ the Son. Jesus did not exalt himself! Therefore God also has highly exalted Him. There is a reason God exalted Him. The reason is given in verse 8. 8 And [Jesus] being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Christ humbled Himself in obedience in obedience to whom? to the death of the cross. Jesus set the example that we are to follow, and God exalts those who humble themselves. A few passages make this point very clearly. Matthew 23:12 "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 1 Peter 4:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

Christ humbled Himself to die on the cross and this is the reason that God exalted Him. We need to follow His example and humble ourselves as well and God will be the One to exalt us in due time. There is nothing in the Bible that tells us that the exaltation of Christ is different than the way we will be exalted by God. In Acts 2:32, we read: "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."' 36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." This is the way and position to which God exalted and glorified Jesus, and according to the word of God this is the lot of the faithful in Christ. Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Nothing could be plainer to the Christian mind that hears Gods word through the Holy Spirit. For God has promised us through Jesus Christ that the Spirit will lead us to his truths. John 14:8-31 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. By these passages in the Holy Bible we see that not only did God the Son undergo some changes, but that humanity that faithfully follows the example of Jesus Christ the Son of God will also be subject to the same changes. It is a lot to take in, but think what it signifies. It signifies the Divine Destiny of the children of God that obey him. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings. What glorious truths mine eyes behold! What blessings hath God reserved for those that serve him and obey him!

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