One God, One Heart: The Same Yesterday and Today

Is the God of the Old Testament different from the God of the New Testament? Many people describe the Old Testament God as harsh and judgmental, while viewing the New Testament God as loving and gracious. But Scripture tells a different story.In this lesson, we examine passages such as Malachi 3:6, where God declares, “I do not change,” and Hebrews 13:8, which affirms that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. While events like the flood (Genesis 6:5–7) or the conquest of Canaan (Deuteronomy 7:2) may seem severe at first glance, God’s own description of His character in Exodus 34:6–7 reveals Him as merciful, gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness.We also see that love for God and love for neighbor—highlighted by Jesus in Matthew 22:37–40—were not new commands, but foundational truths already given in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. Mercy runs throughout the Old Testament, as seen in Nehemiah 9:17, Ezekiel 18:23, and the deeply personal plea of God in Hosea 11:8–9. Likewise, the New Testament continues to speak of both mercy and judgment (John 12:48; Matthew 7:13–14; 2 Peter 3:9).The consistent message across both Testaments is clear: one God, one heart, one unchanging character. He hates sin because it destroys what He loves, yet He remains patient, calling all to repentance. From Psalm 103:8 to the life and teaching of Christ, the same mercy, holiness, and justice are revealed.God has not changed. Our understanding of Him must simply grow deeper.