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I. CONSIDER THE BLESSING PROMISED — "eternal life." Life is used as the illustration, because of all blessings it is the most desired, and eternal is appended to it, because that is the highest and best form of life.

1. The first great element in eternal life is freedom from condemnation. So taught our Saviour Himself (John 5:24).

2. Another element of eternal life is the renewal of the heart in righteousness by the grace of the Divine Spirit. There is a double death of the sinner in this present life, and there is a double life corresponding to it. He is dead under the sentence of the law, and also under the power of sin. The former is removed when he is forgiven, the latter when he is renewed in the spirit of his mind.

3. It is in eternity, however, it shall be consummated. The principles by which it is now produced and maintained shall then be perfected.

II. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN ITS BEING REPRESENTED AS A PROMISE?

1. If eternal life be a promise, this implies that it is a free gift.

2. While a promise supposes a free gift on the part of God, it implies its acceptance on our part. If it be not accepted it can never be enjoyed.

3. If eternal life be the promise of God it is sure. "He is not a man that He should lie," etc.

4. Finally, since eternal life is the promise of God, it ought to exercise a powerful influence over us, in engaging us wholly for Him who has so provided for us.

(James Morgan, D. D.)

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KJV: And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

WEB: This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.