In his book Neighboring Faiths, Winfried Corduan explains how Muslims can never have assurance of salvation. To a Muslim assurance of salvation infringes on God’s absolute sovereignty, makes him predictable, and limits his freedom. The Muslim then can only hope he can earn his salvation by enough good works to bring Allah’s favor.
In Christian theology, the true God is also free and sovereign, but He is also immutable. He does not change, and cannot go back on His promises.
For example, we read in Psalm 102:25-27
Of old You founded the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Even they will perish, but You endure;
And all of them will wear out like a garment;
Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed.
“But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end.
Similar ideas are found in James 1:17, Numbers 23:19, I Samuel 15:29 among others.
Admittedly, there are places in Scripture where it appears God does change his mind. For example, in the book of Jonah, God tells Jonah He will destroy Nineveh, and commands him to preach “yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (Jonah 3:1-4). However when Nineveh repented, God “relented” and did not destroy them (3:10). Did God change His mind?
No, He didn’t. These sorts of altered states of affairs are called “Cambridge changes.” For example, if I drive my car within the speed limit, I have nothing to fear from the authorities. However, once I exceed the speed limit I’m in danger of getting a speeding ticket. What changes? Not the law. The speed limit remained constant. What changed is my relationship to the fixed standard.
Applying this to God, when it appears God changes, it is not He, but we who change in relation to Him. All throughout the Scripture we are told God is merciful toward the repentant. Our sin will bring His judgment, but when we turn from it, He forgives us. This attitude on God’s part is part of His unchanging nature. Thus when a sinner repents, God is not changing, but merely remaining unchanging regarding His character and promises. The sinner is the one who changes. Even Jonah understood this (Jonah 4:1-2), and had no problem with the new state of affairs regarding Nineveh. He did not like the fact God forgave Nineveh, but he did not accuse God of inconsistency or accuse Him of a changed nature.
For those in Christ, God’s immutability brings a special joy and satisfaction. Christians are assured by God – who cannot lie – that they are forever secure in Jesus Christ. Romans 8:39 says “nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Philippians 1:6 says “what God has begun in us, He will perform until the day of Christ Jesus.” Jesus Himself promised in John 6:37-39
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
And in John 10:27-28 He says
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
So friends, God is free and sovereign, yes; but He is not fickle and arbitrary. We are always assured of His love, and the boundlessness of His saving grace. Thus, those who place faith in Jesus Christ, can rest assured that God will never reject them.
