Thursday, May 2, 2019

Reflection - God 'Repents' - God changes His mind

Source (book): "God in Pursuit", Chapter 7, Question 2, Page 99.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


In what ways can God change His mind?

PHOTO: In what ways can God change His mind?
To understand what ways can God change His mind is to look at it from the perspective of God's character. God is both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate (Psalm 145:17); stern and kind (Romans 11:22). When the Ninevites were living in wickedness, God was angry because He is righteous. When they repented, He acted compassionately. In both instances, God acted consistently with His unchanging character. In fact, if God acted had punished Nineveh even though they repented, then He would have acted out of character.

When this came about and God "changed his mind", it was consistent with His ultimate plan. Some theologians note that while we see it as a change, there was in fact no change from God's perspective, for He was acting in accordance with His eternal plans.

What did change in Nineveh was the relationship between God and the city's people. By their wicked actions, they were making themselves objects of God's wrath. By His gracious provision, however, they repented and became the objects of His mercy. In forgiving them and sparing them destruction, God "changed" His mind, but in a manner consistent with His eternal character and purposes, which are unchanging.

This is how God relates to us - in His unchanging character and purposes, and in His changing and active interactions with us. Thus, Paul wrote, "Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:3-5). What a comforting thought! We can lean on God's unchanging nature and wisdom, while knowing that He interacts with us as we respond to His grace.


How do you understand the role of prayer in this context (changing God's mind).
The function of prayer is to develop a personal relationship with God.

Imagine trying to have a personal loving relationship with someone whom we never communicated with. Through prayer we learn to know God more intimately. We see prayer as communication that can be used for adoration, but that also be used for confession, thanksgiving, and also for supplication (asking or begging). And any combination thereof. A good example is the Lord's Prayer with contains all four of these elements. So the function of prayer is to develop our relationship with God.

"By looking from the perspective of God's character, God is both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate (Psalm 145:17); stern and kind (Romans 11:22). When the Ninevites were living in wickedness, God was angry because He is righteous. When they repented, He acted compassionately."

When the Nineveh repented and prayed to God (Jonah 3:5-9 GNT), "what did change in Nineveh was the relationship between God and the city's people. By their wicked actions, they were making themselves objects of God's wrath. By His gracious provision, however, they repented and became the objects of His mercy. In forgiving them and sparing them destruction, God "changed" His mind, but in a manner consistent with His eternal character and purposes, which are unchanging."

The role of prayer in this context (of God changing His mind) is to develop a personal relationship with God that change us from being the objects of God's wrath to the objects of His mercy.
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In what ways can God change His mind? How do you understand the role of prayer in this context.

In what ways can God change His mind?
An Unchanging God Who Changes His Mind [1]
Deists, who believe that God can be sufficiently described and explained through reason and observing the natural world, hold that God created the world and then left us to our own devices. They believe that He is far away and not interested in our present affairs, and does not intervene in our daily lives. This unbiblical idea was popular during the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries, when human ingenuity and independence were widely celebrate. Such ideas continue to influence how people think today.
Deists, who believe that God can be sufficiently described and explained through reason and observing the natural world, hold that God created the world and then left us to our own devices.

PHOTO: Deists, who believe that God can be sufficiently described and explained through reason and observing the natural world, hold that God created the world and then left us to our own devices. They believe that He is far away and not interested in our present affairs, and does not intervene in our daily lives.
Picture posted by Francis Collins on 2008
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But this denies the fact that God interacts with and engages His creation. As Paul declared, it is in God that "we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28), and that it is in Christ that "all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). God does not leave us to our own devices; He interacts with and engages us, and we experience this in His wrath, grace, mercy, love, etc. That is why we have Christian discipleship as described in the Bible.
Deists denies the fact that God interacts with and engages His creation.

PHOTO: Deists denies the fact that God interacts with and engages His creation. As Paul declared, it is in God that "we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28), and that it is in Christ that "all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). God does not leave us to our own devices; He interacts with and engages us, and we experience this in His wrath, grace, mercy, and love
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https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog-and-stories/jesus-cares-for-poor.html


We see this in the case of Nineveh. When its people repented, God forgave them and spared them destruction. Does this represent a change in God's original plans or purpose? No - not if we understand that God has always wanted to "bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ" (Ephesians 1:10), and was therefore "reconciling the world to himself in Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:19). It was with this fundamental purpose in mind that God sent Jonah to Nineveh. The threat of destruction was real, but it was intended to produce true repentance in the Ninevites.


Putting on Spiritual Sackcloth - a sign of mourning, humility, and repentance
PHOTO: In the case of Nineveh. When its people repented, God forgave them and spared them destruction. God has always wanted to "bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ" (Ephesians 1:10), and was therefore "reconciling the world to himself in Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:19). The threat of destruction was real, but it was intended to produce true repentance in the Ninevites.
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https://hiveminer.com/Tags/神的爱
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-god-repents-god-is-unchanging.html


When this came about and God "changed his mind", it was consistent with His ultimate plan. Some theologians note that while we see it as a change, there was in fact no change from God's perspective, for He was acting in accordance with His eternal plans.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkvl7Ox255CtFSr1n8RFcNbx8J8U-co1kK8MmPKPOmMowXhTgL1u52Jklrk37xU5-B0a23I7wu1gYjzobnEqD9-wJV3RuZ7C0nQtrMy9SJmG-8WIf8_t4Sc4OJsmwa08jqnlQyT84KEE/s1600/47a9b208eab17.jpeg.jpeg
When this came about and God 'changed his mind', it was consistent with His ultimate plan.


PHOTO: When this came about and God "changed his mind", it was consistent with His ultimate plan. There was in fact no change from God's perspective, for He was acting in accordance with His eternal plans.
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Another way of understanding what happened is to look at it from the perspective of God's character. God is both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate (Psalm 145:17); stern and kind (Romans 11:22). When the Ninevites were living in wickedness, God was angry because He is righteous. When they repented, He acted compassionately. In both instances, God acted consistently with His unchanging character. In fact, if God acted had punished Nineveh even though they repented, then He would have acted out of character.
God is both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate (Psalm 145:17); stern and kind (Romans 11:22).

PHOTO: God is both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate (Psalm 145:17); stern and kind (Romans 11:22). When the Ninevites were living in wickedness, God was angry because He is righteous. When they repented, He acted compassionately. God acted consistently with His unchanging character.
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What did change in Nineveh was the relationship between God and the city's people. By their wicked actions, they were making themselves objects of God's wrath. By His gracious provision, however, they repented and became the objects of His mercy. In forgiving them and sparing them destruction, God "changed" His mind, but in a manner consistent with His eternal character and purposes, which are unchanging.
What did change in Nineveh was the relationship between God and the city's people.

PHOTO: What did change in Nineveh was the relationship between God and the city's people. By their wicked actions, they were making themselves objects of God's wrath. By His gracious provision, however, they repented and became the objects of His mercy. In forgiving them and sparing them destruction, God "changed" His mind, but in a manner consistent with His eternal character and purposes, which are unchanging.
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This is how God relates to us - in His unchanging character and purposes, and in His changing and active interactions with us. Thus, Paul wrote, "Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:3-5). What a comforting thought! We can lean on God's unchanging nature and wisdom, while knowing that He interacts with us as we respond to His grace.
God relates to us - in His unchanging character and purposes, and in His changing and active interactions with us. We can lean on God's unchanging nature and wisdom, while knowing that He interacts with us as we respond to His grace.

PHOTO: God relates to us - in His unchanging character and purposes, and in His changing and active interactions with us. We can lean on God's unchanging nature and wisdom, while knowing that He interacts with us as we respond to His grace.
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https://jesus.christ.org/files/2015/02/Acsension.jpg
http://www.pixhd.me/reflections-of-christ-resurrection.html


How do you understand the role of prayer in this context (of God changing His mind).
The function of prayer is to develop a personal relationship with God. [2]


The function of prayer is to develop a personal relationship with God.

PHOTO: The function of prayer is to develop a personal relationship with God.
Picture posted by Carey Nieuwhof
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Imagine trying to have a personal loving relationship with someone whom we never communicated with. Through prayer we learn to know God more intimately. We see prayer as communication that can be used for adoration, but that also be used for confession, thanksgiving, and also for supplication (asking or begging). And any combination thereof. A good example is the Lord's Prayer with contains all four of these elements. So the function of prayer is to develop our relationship with God.
Imagine trying to have a personal loving relationship with someone whom we never communicated with. Through prayer we learn to know God more intimately.

PHOTO: Imagine trying to have a personal loving relationship with someone whom we never communicated with. Through prayer we learn to know God more intimately. We see prayer as communication that can be used for adoration, but that also be used for confession, thanksgiving, and also for supplication (asking or begging).
Picture posted by Cru
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"By looking from the perspective of God's character, God is both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate (Psalm 145:17); stern and kind (Romans 11:22). When the Ninevites were living in wickedness, God was angry because He is righteous. When they repented, He acted compassionately."
By looking from the perspective of God's character, God is both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate (Psalm 145:17); stern and kind (Romans 11:22).

PHOTO: "By looking from the perspective of God's character, God is both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate (Psalm 145:17); stern and kind (Romans 11:22). When the Ninevites were living in wickedness, God was angry because He is righteous. When they repented, He acted compassionately."
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When the Nineveh repented and prayed to God (Jonah 3:5-9 GNT), "what did change in Nineveh was the relationship between God and the city's people. By their wicked actions, they were making themselves objects of God's wrath. By His gracious provision, however, they repented and became the objects of His mercy. In forgiving them and sparing them destruction, God "changed" His mind, but in a manner consistent with His eternal character and purposes, which are unchanging."
When the Nineveh repented and prayed to God (Jonah 3:5-9 GNT), what did change in Nineveh was the relationship between God and the city's people.

PHOTO: When the Nineveh repented and prayed to God (Jonah 3:5-9 GNT), what did change in Nineveh was the relationship between God and the city's people. By their wicked actions, they were making themselves objects of God's wrath. By His gracious provision, however, they repented and became the objects of His mercy.
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In forgiving us and sparing us destruction, God 'changed' His mind, but in a manner consistent with His eternal character and purposes, which are unchanging.

PHOTO: In forgiving us and sparing us destruction, God "changed" His mind, but in a manner consistent with His eternal character and purposes, which are unchanging. By looking from the perspective of God's character, God is both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate; stern and kind.
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The role of prayer in this context (of God changing His mind) is to develop a personal relationship with God that change us from being the objects of God's wrath to the objects of His mercy.

The role of prayer in this context (of God changing His mind) is to develop a personal relationship with God that change us from being the objects of God's wrath to the objects of His mercy.

PHOTO: The role of prayer in this context (of God changing His mind) is to develop a personal relationship with God that change us from being the objects of God's wrath to the objects of His mercy.
Picture posted by Cru
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https://www.cru.org/us/en/how-to-know-god/would-you-like-to-know-god-personally.html


"I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.

Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds."" (Psalm 77:5, 7-12) 


I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.
I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.
PHOTO: "I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night."
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I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.
I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.
PHOTO: "I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds."
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Dear Lord, Thank You for changing Your mind for our good because of You are both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate, stern and kind.
Dear Lord, Thank You for changing Your mind for our good because of You are both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate, stern and kind.


PHOTO: “Dear Lord, Thank You for changing Your mind for our good because You are both holy and merciful; righteous and compassionate, stern and kind. When we are living in wickedness You are angry because You are holy and righteous. When we repented, You change Your mind on carrying out Your destructive threat, and acted compassionately.

What do change is the relationship between You and us. By our wicked actions, we are making ourselves objects of Your wrath. But by Your gracious provision, when we repent, we became the objects of Your mercy. In forgiving us and sparing us destruction, You "changed" Your mind, but in a manner consistent with Your eternal character and purposes, which are unchanging.

Thank You for allowing us to “change” Your mind by developing a personal relationship with You through prayer. Although prayer can be used for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, it also can be used for communication with You. We can use prayer to communicate and develop a personal relationship with You, and change our relationship from being the objects of Your wrath to the objects of Your mercy.

Thank You for in Your unchanging character and purposes, and in Your changing and active interactions with us. We can lean on Your unchanging nature and wisdom, while knowing that You interacts with us, and change for our own good, as we respond to Your grace.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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Reflection - God 'Repents' - God changes His mind
Question from source (book): "God in Pursuit", Chapter 7, Question 2, Page 99.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012





Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon
'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html

 

Reference
[1] From "God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, Copyright © 2017 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-1-62707-801-6, Part III: Jonah 3:1-10, Chapter 7 "God 'Repents'", Page 95-97.

[2] Al Lundy, Practicing Catholic for 60 years, Deacon, servant of God, What is the function of prayer? Is it to influence God or is it to change the nature of the one who's praying?, an answer posted on 11 November 2017, https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-function-of-prayer-Is-it-to-influence-God-or-is-it-to-change-the-nature-of-the-one-whos-praying

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