What is the purpose of life?

[nebula]

I'm curious to know how anything in this life "prepares" us for eternity.

First is determined where we spend eternity. (I believe we all can agree on this?)

Second, it determines how you spend eternity.

I know this is controversial, but this is where the rewards ("I will give to you according to what you have done," etc.). Will you enter Heaven with wood, hay, and stubble, or with gold, silver, and precious jewels? Will the Lord put you in charge of many things in Heaven if you were not faithful with what He gave you here on earth?

[Joshua-777]

"Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:" Deuteronomy 6:5-6

>>>>>()<<<<<

I was sent an email in which this question (What is the purpose of life?) was asked of Pastor/Author Rick Warren during an interview. This is a question many people ask themselves and go into deep thought about. Pastor Warren gave a simple answer that I thought was one of the greatest answers I ever heard and is simply the truth. Pastor Warren said "In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity". What a beautiful way of thinking of the purpose of life.

I would take issue with that answer. That makes it all about me and my wants. In other words seeking a certain type of eternal life. Life is about living for and serving the Lord.

Another Take

The Purpose Of Life Is, In A Nutshell Marriage

>>>>>(I)<<<<<

It's About A Love Affair

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

And A Wedding

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Revelation 19:6-8

Forever

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:3-5

[Hunterpoet]

I'm curious to know how anything in this life "prepares" us for eternity.

First is determined where we spend eternity. (I believe we all can agree on this?)

Second, it determines how you spend eternity.

I know this is controversial, but this is where the rewards ("I will give to you according to what you have done," etc.). Will you enter Heaven with wood, hay, and stubble, or with gold, silver, and precious jewels? Will the Lord put you in charge of many things in Heaven if you were not faithful with what He gave you here on earth?

I guess I'm hung up on the word " prepare ". I can see how the things you have listed are a determining factor in how you will spend eternity, but still fail to see how these things will prepare you.

Then again, I'm not an upper class brainiac, so I could just be to numb to understand all of this.

[nebula]

I guess I'm hung up on the word " prepare ". I can see how the things you have listed are a determining factor in how you will spend eternity, but still fail to see how these things will prepare you.

Then again, I'm not an upper class brainiac, so I could just be to numb to understand all of this.

Well, I'm into science, not English.

But think of it this way -

Preparing for a job interview.

Preparing for a wedding.

Preparing for the marriage after the wedding.

Preparing for having children.

Preparing for a new home.

What will happen if you don't prepare for these?

So, what are you doing to prepare for Heaven? Are you sowing into the Kingdom? Are you storing up treasure in Heaven? Will the Throne Room be a familiar place to you or a strange one?

Does that make more sense?

[Hunterpoet]

I guess I'm hung up on the word " prepare ". I can see how the things you have listed are a determining factor in how you will spend eternity, but still fail to see how these things will prepare you.

Then again, I'm not an upper class brainiac, so I could just be to numb to understand all of this.

Well, I'm into science, not English.

But think of it this way -

Preparing for a job interview.

Preparing for a wedding.

Preparing for the marriage after the wedding.

Preparing for having children.

Preparing for a new home.

What will happen if you don't prepare for these?

So, what are you doing to prepare for Heaven? Are you sowing into the Kingdom? Are you storing up treasure in Heaven? Will the Throne Room be a familiar place to you or a strange one?

Does that make more sense?

no

[nebula]

OK, remember what Jesus said about storing up treasure in Heaven?

Matt. 6

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal ; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Would you consider yourself prepared for living the rest of your life in Heaven if you did not store up for yourself treasure there?

[oldzimm]

I like to thank everyone for their thoughts on this topic and I think the references that were posted from the Bible pertaining to this topic are correct, everything mentioned will help prepare us for eternity.

To answer Hunterpoet's question

I'm curious to know how anything in this life "prepares" us for eternity.

, I will turn to Ephesians 5:1 (be an imitator)

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.

So in my humble opinion, I think to prepare for eternity we must TRY and imitate God/Jesus.

[Guest]

I like to thank everyone for their thoughts on this topic and I think the references that were posted from the Bible pertaining to this topic are correct, everything mentioned will help prepare us for eternity.

To answer Hunterpoet's question

I'm curious to know how anything in this life "prepares" us for eternity.

, I will turn to Ephesians 5:1 (be an imitator)

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.

So in my humble opinion, I think to prepare for eternity we must TRY and imitate God/Jesus.

Love

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48

Love

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:7-9

Love

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

[Hunterpoet]

OK, lets back track for a moment.

Nebula had mentioned preparing for childbirth as a means of understanding preparing for eternity.

Well, even with all the top prenatal care and advice from veteran mothers, is a women fully prepared for the experience of child birth: or do you think there would be a few surprise moments; fact is, it is a totally new experience, regardless of all the preparation.

From my own perspective, I can assure you, nothing during my training truly prepared me for combat.

So, having never been to heaven or having experienced eternity, I'm certain there is nothing on this earth that will prepare me for that experience.

It is a total unknown to me presently.

The only thing I do know about it is that I will be with my Lord and Savior, and that is enough to quell any fear.

[wyguy]

What is the purpose of life?

To Head over to the Australian and Hawaiian internationals, and then wing on over to London and jam with the Stones!