What Won't Change

By Pastor Dan Hickling  

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”—Acts 5:30-32 (NKJV)

It’s incredible how much has changed since the apostle Peter first uttered the words above. The world’s population has increased approximately 40 times over. There have been roughly 130 wars, conflicts, or revolutions involving major world powers. Measles, polar magnetism, the circulatory system, planetary motion, the cell, calculus, the laws of motion, the speed of light, electricity, radioactivity, the atomic structure, penicillin . . . all these and so much more has been discovered since then.

Yet it’s just as remarkable to consider what hasn’t changed since this declaration was made, especially when it comes to what it’s stating. For despite the ever-shifting landscape of our world, the essential truths revealed to us here haven’t been altered one iota!

Consider this: Jesus still stands as the crucified and resurrected Son and Lord over all the earth. He remains, at this very moment, at the right hand of His Father in heavenly glory as the Prince over all. Jesus is also the Savior who makes repentance and forgiveness of sin possible; not just for His native people of Israel, but also for anyone who would receive Him (John 1:11-12). Those who have received Him are still called to serve as witnesses to these facts about Him. And the Holy Spirit continues to inspire and corroborate this testimony in the lives of those who follow God. 

These things are just as true today as they were two millennia ago. Jesus is still who He is, we are still saved through Him, we are still called to serve as witnesses to Him, and it is still His Holy Spirit that makes this mission possible!

God has allowed a lot in this world to change, but not these truths! He has permanently locked them into the reality of this life. So how should we respond? If God is so clear on wanting these realities represented throughout all time, it’s clear we’re to uphold them on our watch. 

This may sound obvious, but there’s increasing pressure from the world to amend or edit these truths. It wants to alter them to its liking, but they never can nor will . . . and the Christian’s call is to lovingly stand for what God won’t change.   

DIG: What’s so remarkable about the proceeding passage?

DISCOVER: How does God want us to respond to these unchanging truths?

DO: Spend some time today reflecting on how you have stood/do stand for what God won’t change.