The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren—A Synopsis (continued). Chapter 4—Made to Last Forever (pages 36-40) Summary Within every person there is the desire to live forever.  This is so because God made everyone to, in fact, live forever.  Because of this and because a person’s physical life upon earth, no matter its years, is brief in light of eternity to come, it is of great importance what a person does in preparation for the “real thing.”  Although one has many choices while on earth, there are only two critical ones in the never-ending life to come.  A person may chose heaven or he may chose hell, depending on his decision to either accept by faith or reject Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on Calvary. By deciding on Christ and coming to the realization that there is more to life than just “here and now,” a person will live differently—a life that will change his views on relationships, tasks, circumstances, activities, goals—on everything.  By coming to Christ and aligning oneself with God’s multifaceted purpose for one’s life, a person will increasingly understand how insignificant things of earthly-value are in light of his eternal home. If there is no eternal life after physical death, then nothing really matters.  One then may live as self-centered a life as is deemed profitable.  But this is definitely not the case.  Death is only a door, a transition, to an eternal life of either heaven or hell.  And everything one does during his physical life will impact on his life after death—starting with one’s decision regarding Jesus Christ and one’s subsequent submission to Christ. It is impossible for a person while on earth to even partially understand what eternity with God will be like; but God has given to man glimpses of eternity, which are expressed in His Word, the Bible.  By studying the Bible, one may know that heaven with God will be everlasting, it will be a reunification with loved ones, it will be a life without pain and suffering, it will be a joyful experience and it will be a time of either great or little reward relative to how one has lived for Christ after his salvation experience upon earth. It may be affirmed that God’s purpose for every individual on earth has heavenly implications.  It is therefore critical that every person consider “life after death.”  Although death may seem to be a morbid thought, only a fool will not consider it and its aftermath.  If one establishes a relationship with Jesus Christ through saving faith, he no longer needs to fear death—it will be a person’s “birthday into eternal life.” Quotes “Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production.”  (pg. 36) “You were made to last forever.” (pg. 36) “While life on earth offers many choices, eternity offers only two:  heaven or hell.  Your relationship to God on earth will determine your relationship to Him in eternity.” (pg. 37) “The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears.” (pg. 37) “Death is not your termination, but your transition into eternity, so there are eternal consequences to everything you do on earth.” (pg. 38) “Only a fool would go through life unprepared for what we all know will eventually happen.” (pg. 39) “If you have a relationship with God through Jesus, you don’t need to fear death.  It is the door to eternity.  It will be the last hour of your time on earth, but it won’t be the last of you.  Rather than being the end of your life, it will be your birthday unto eternal life.” (pg. 40) “It would be wiser to live each day as if it were the last day of your life.” (pg. 40) “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day.” (pg. 40) Scriptures He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (1 Corinthians 5:1) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:7) But as it is written: eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9) Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 25:34) The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. (Psalm 33:11) Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2) For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. (Hebrews 13:14) So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6) Conclusion/Comments God has specifically designed and formed every person so that his spirit and soul will live for eternity.  While on the face of this earth, every person retains a deep-seated realization of this and portrays a strong sense of self-preservation in this world and a definite awareness of an after-life. Unfortunately, this will only lead to emptiness and a worthless fruition unless the person comes to an understanding that God has a most specific multifaceted purpose for his life, which is to accept Jesus Christ by faith as one’s personal Savior and to then live one’s life for the glory and pleasure of God.  In fact, because life is so short and physical death and an eternity in either heaven or hell is so sure, a person is a complete fool not to consider his life on earth in light of its consequences in eternity.