The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren—A Synopsis (continued). Chapter 16—What Matters Most (pages 123-129) Summary God has established that unselfish love is the ultimate achievement in life. It should be the primary focus for every Christian, since it is the foundation of every command God has given to man. But to achieve this state of love is not an easy task, because it runs counter to the human sinful and self-centered nature. Although God would have His children display unselfish love toward everyone, He places a priority on believers loving believers—the showing of love toward others within the “family of God.” Why? It is because He would have His family known for this quality (loving each other). Loving unselfishly is only possible when believers associate with each other on a regular basis. Why? Because it is only then that they are tested with the imperfections of each other, so that God may refine and mature them in this most important Christian value. It is through Christian fellowship that three critical truths are learned, as follow: 1. The best use of life is unselfish love. The absolute priority, principal objective and utmost ambition in a believer’s life should be to unselfishly love others. Why? See the following reasons: a. Life without unselfish love is worthless. Relationships are what life is all about. And these are meaningless unless conducted under the umbrella of unselfish love. The Ten Commandments all deal with “relationships”—4 with God and 6 with each other. Jesus Christ, personally, said that the Commandments are summed-up by loving God and then each other—unselfishly. One may only love in this manner within relationships, yet often the various and sundry activities of life crowd out relationships where unselfish love could flourish. When this happens, life becomes empty and meaningless. b. Unselfish love is eternal. Only through unselfish love may a person leave a lasting legacy on earth. Only this love—for and from others—will comfort one who is dying; his wealth, possessions, awards and other earthly achievements having no consoling effect. In a person’s “final moments,” he then understands that relationships (built on and with unselfish love) are what life is all about. If a person is wise, he will learn this critical truth sooner rather than later. c. Believers will answer to God regarding unselfish love. A Christian’s adoption and use of unselfish love during his life on earth will be the basis for God’s evaluation of him in eternity. Spiritual maturity is measured by a believer’s capacity and expression of unselfish love in earthly relationships. The measure of one’s love for Jesus Christ is seen in one’s love for God’s family and others. Christians take nothing material into eternity, but their “character” goes with them to be displayed before God. 2. The best expression of unselfish love is time. The most important and precious asset in a person’s life is time. It is a limited commodity in one’s life. Whereas one may make more money, one cannot make more time. Because of this, it is the most vital sacrifice one can offer to another of the human race—the absolute greatest way one can demonstrate unselfish love toward another is through focused attention. Often fathers forget this, believing that providing material things for their wife and children is sufficient to show their love. It is not! Nothing takes the place of spending time with those who should be loved. When a person gives one’s time to another, he is giving of himself—a true act of unselfish love—because to give one’s time to anther is to take it from one’s self. 3. The best time to love unselfishly is now. The best—and only—time to express unselfish love is the present. Why? It is because the “present” is a person’s only sure possession. The future may never come. Death may indeed be just around the corner—for one’s self or for the person or persons to whom unselfish loved should be expressed. Today may be all the time one has to act. Quotes “Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature.” (pg. 123) “Why do they [God’s family] get priority in loving? Because God wants His family to be known for its love more than anything else.” (pg. 124) “God wants you to be in regular, close fellowship with other believers so you can develop the skill of loving. Love cannot be learned in isolation.” (pg. 124) “Love should be your top priority, primary objective, and greatest ambition.” (pg. 124) “God says relationships are what life is all about.” (pg. 125) “Relationships, not achievements or the acquisition of things, are what matters most in life.” (pg. 125) “Busyness is a great enemy of relationships.” (pg. 125) “Love leaves a legacy. How you treated other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth.” (pg. 125) “When life on earth is ending, people don’t surround themselves with object. What we want around us is people—people we love and have relationship with.” (pg. 126) “One of the ways God measures spiritual maturity is by the quality of your relationships.” (pg. 126) “When you transfer into eternity, you will leave everything else behind. All you’re taking with you is your character.” (pg. 126) “The importance of things can be measured by how much time we are willing to invest in them. . . . If you want to know a person’s priorities, just look at how they use their time. . . .Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can’t make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.” (pg. 127) “The essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how we give of ourselves.” (pg. 127) “The most desired gift of love is not diamonds or roses or chocolate. It is focused attention.” (pg. 127) “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” (pg. 128) “Why is now the best time to express love? Because you don’t know how long you will have the opportunity. Circumstances change. People die.” (pg. 128) Scriptures 1 Corinthians 13:3b; 2 John 1:6; Galatians 5:14; 1 Peter 2:17b; Galatians 6:10; John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 14:1a; 13:3; Matthew 22:37-40; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Matthew 25:34-46; Matthew 25:40; Galatians 5:6; 1 John 3:18; Ephesians 5:2; John 3:16a; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 5:16; Proverbs 3:27. Conclusion/Comments Unselfish love is the cornerstone, the centerpiece, and the pinnacle of the Christian life. It may only be evidenced in relationships, and it is the most critical measurement of a believer, which must take priority between those in God’s family. Providing unselfish love toward another believer (or anyone for that matter) is the only way one can truly give of himself. The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now. The one quality that best expresses the essence of God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is (unselfish) Love. To be a true child of God is to be a child of Love!