God would not have promised eternal life without having particular persons in mind to whom He was directing that promise.  And if we can determine to whom He gives it, then we will know to whom He promised it.  Christ Himself gives us the answer when He says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish," etc. (John 10:27-30).  Also in John 17:2 He tells us that He gives eternal life "to as many as" the Father has given Him.  These are "the children of promise" spoken of in Galatians 4:28 and to whom eternal life is assured.

God would not, and could not, promise eternal life to someone and then renege on the promise.  That would make Him a liar, which is an utter impossibility.  What He has promised He is able also to perform (Rom. 4:21).  Not only is He able to do what He has promised, but His faithfulness and impeccability dictate that He do so.  Nothing He has promised can fail of fulfillment.  Fortunately for His people, He is a God of stability and certainty; a God of purpose and design, determinate counsel, and immutability.  "He is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth" (Job 23:13).  "Our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased (Psalm 115:3).

It is very comforting and reassuring to think upon God's divine certainties.  Let us look at a few more of them.  "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever" (Psalm 33:11).  "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand" (Prov. 19:21).  "The Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it?" (Isa. 14:27).  "Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth" (Isa. 25:1).  "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure" (Isa. 46:10).  "If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it" (Acts 5:39).  "Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph. 1:11).

Popular religion paints a much different picture of God and makes Him out to be less than His creatures, but we may be sure that if we are among those to whom He promised eternal life, we shall surely have it.  It cannot be otherwise, for He cannot lie and His decrees cannot be altered.  He does not change, and "therefore ye sons of Jacob (ye chosen ones) are not consumed" (Mal. 3:6).    ---Elder Ralph Harris