The Promised Life (1 John 2:25)

“And this is the promise that he made to us - eternal life.” (1 John 2:25)

When I was a young man and received my first paycheck, I lost my wallet with my freshly printed paycheck inside. My stomach was in knots, and I was miserable. I labored for many hours in the hot summer sun; and in a moment of carelessness, all my work was for naught. For many of us, we carry that same mentality into our salvation. We cross our t’s and dot our i’s; but suddenly, affliction strikes, something goes awry, and life takes a downhill turn. Was it a moment of carelessness? Did we lose our eternal life? Have we kept our hearts pure for naught? Oh, the horrible gut-wrenching feelings that follow such accusations. These would have been the feelings enveloping the young congregation of 1 John as affliction and persecution ravage them from inside and out.

But John has a simple response: God keeps his promises. John did not say that God pays us with eternal life, but that he promises us eternal life. Caring for the livelihood of another begins the moment of possession, and God makes this promise to us because we are His. This promise is not dependent upon our circumstances but upon God’s faithfulness. God stakes His name, His honor, His reputation upon His promised provision. But this promise of eternal life is not like a long trip to Disneyland. You don’t endure a lifelong road trip then enter into joy; instead, God’s promise proliferates our lives now. Not only does He care for us body and soul, but He seasons our lives with joy. Now, say we come down with severe illnesses while serving others, does this mean that God has forsaken us? No, God keeps his promises. Loved ones die and leave us behind. Does this mean that God has abandoned us too? No, God keeps his promises. Many have prayed and labored for years with nothing to show for it. Does this mean God is disappointed in us? No, God keeps his promises for eternity, always.