God is life. God is cause, not effect. God does not change.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
I grant it's a paradox, but I know of no way around it.
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)