The Sameness of God

Welcome!

Now that you know God’s covenant with man is the foundation of the Bible, let’s talk about God’s character. Just like you get to know people by being around them, you can get to know God by reading His Word. The Bible says God does not change (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17). Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” When you read God’s Word, one of the ways He shows you His character is in the sameness of the Bible.

“The sameness…?”

That’s right, the sameness. (I know. It does sound like a made-up word.)

Sameness

Sameness is basically what it sounds like: The quality or state of being the same, monotonous, or uniform. Those aren’t words we value, are they? After all, everyone knows, “Variety is the spice of life!” Sameness, on the other hand, is kind of like plain bread and butter, predictable.

But ask yourself, who do you go to when you’re in trouble? Who do you call when you need help? The fun friend who stood you up the last three times you made plans? Nope! You go to the plain-bread-and-butter person you know you can count on. You go to the person who demonstrates sameness.

Even more than the person you go to when you’re in trouble, God will never let you down. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Sameness.

More of the Same

In keeping with this, the Bible says some of the same things over and over. If you’ve ever read a Bible verse and felt like you read the exact same verse somewhere else in the Bible, it probably isn’t your imagination. Have you ever heard that the Bible has 365 verses that tell us not to fear? One for each day of the year. The words “unfailing love” appear over 50 times depending on the version of the Bible you read. Psalms and Proverbs both have lines that repeat from chapter to chapter.

In the New Testament, Jesus and others referenced Old Testament scriptures, such as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27). And, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (I Peter 2:24).

You can take comfort in reading the same words over and over because it means that God has not changed the thoughts that He thinks toward you. God still wants to be in relationship with you. God has a specific will for you that you can know by reading His Word.

Sameness.

The Main Point

God is always the same. When you read His Word you can know, even though the words were written down thousands of years ago, He still means them because He does not change. He is still saying the same things about His unfailing love for you, His desire to be in relationship with you, and His will for you.

This week, I encourage you to read verses where God speaks directly to you. Some of them are Old Testament verses, but they are still true for His children today. As you read, picture yourself in the heavenly throne room with Father God and Jesus, and no one else around. See them speaking the words to you with love.

What do you think about the sameness of God? Leave a comment!