by leaps and bounds

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

In the natural course of things, one thing is sure- change. We can dislike and resist change, but it will still occur. Nature changes. People change. We can see change all around us.

Look at nature. Fall changes to winter; winter changes to spring. Spring gives way to summer. Due to erosion, the courses of rivers and outlines of ocean shores are altered.

Look at people. Babies become children; children become teens; teens become adults. As we grow older our health and skills begin to diminish. We definitely know we are changing then.

Isn’t it good to know that- spiritually speaking- some things never change? Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He gives us the one constant in a world of change. Because of Him, some things will never change.

Jesus is the way of salvation. This will never change. The following Scriptures clarify this:

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11).

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 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, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).

Think about it! Jesus gave up everything for us. Heavenly royalty and the splendor of Heaven were set aside. He humbled Himself completely to assure that we can have salvation- eternal life forever. Since He did this, God has given Him the name that is above every other name. His is the only name whereby we are saved.

Once we are saved, we need Jesus in order to be the people He wants us to be. This will never change. God wants us to be faithful to him. He wants us to be holy. He knows we cannot do this by ourselves. If we are going to bear fruit, we have to be attached to the vine. John 15:4-5 says Jesus is the vine:

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

God is in control. This will never change no matter what people may think. After all, Psalm 24:1 tells us that the earth and its fullness belong to Him. In fact, all people who dwell in the earth belong to Him.

Since God is in control, leaders should not think of themselves as invincible or irreplaceable. Notice the strong words of Psalm 75:5-7:

Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck. For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the judge; he puts down one, And exalts another.

Will things in this world continue to change? Yes. Will some of these changes make things difficult for us? Yes. Will Jesus change? No. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Aren’t you glad He will never change?

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Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.