The world is temporal. Life on this earth is in constant change. We are told “the world passeth away” (1 John 2:17) and “the earth and the works therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). Peter reminds us that our “flesh is as grass” (1 Peter 1:24). Solomon says, “The dust shall return to the earth” (Eccl. 12:7). It is in the midst and reality of constant change that man longs for something permanent. The answer to our dilemma is--THE UNCHANGING CHRIST.
CHRIST’S SALVATION HAS NOT CHANGED. Salvation is deliverance from sin. The salvation brought by Jesus Christ has not changed in either its content or conditions. The “great salvation” was “first spoken through the Lord” (Heb. 2:3). Peter stated of Christ, “thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). None can go to heaven except [if and only if] through Christ. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Christ still calls men by faith (Heb. 11:6), repentance (Luke 13:3), confession (Acts 8:37), baptism (John 3:3, 5), and a life of putting first things first (Matt. 6:33).
CHRIST’S KINGDOM HAS NOT CHANGED. Paul writes that Christ’s kingdom “cannot be shaken” (Heb. 12:28). This harmonizes with Daniel’s prophecy of the eternal nature of the kingdom as, “the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed... and It shall stand for ever” (Dan. 2:44). The words “kingdom” and “church” describe different aspects of the same thing. “Kingdom” describes the rule and spiritual sovereignty of God. “Church” describes the members [Christians] who compose the kingdom and are under God’s rule (Col. 1:18). The “kingdom” while in the world has been “translated out of the power of darkness” (Col. 1:13). In the kingdom/church men have (1) redemption by the blood of Christ (Col. 1:14) and (2) forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14).
CHRIST’S PROMISES SHALL NOT CHANGE. Added to the unchanging salvation and kingdom, the unchanging Christ has promises to His faithful that shall not change. All spiritual blessings shall always remain in Christ (Eph. 1:3). Christ’s role as High Priest extends help of mercy and grace to those who hold fast shall always remain (Heb. 4:14-16). The promise of judgment (2 Cor. 5:10) and the determination of the eternal destiny of all men (Matt. 25:46) shall always remain. Truly, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yea and forever” (Heb. 13:8).
- via the weekly bulletin of the Harrisburg Church of Christ in Harrisburg, IL. You may visit their website at http://www.harrisburgchurchofchrist.org
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