1 Corinthians 3:10-15 New King James Version (NKJV)
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
The Awaiting Judgments
When Jesus Christ suffered on the cross, he received the judgment for sins. Salvation comes to Christians who put their faith in Christ and believe that the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus Christ in their place. Yet while those of us who put our faith in him escape eternal judgment, the Bible teaches that we are still accountable for our lives and time on earth. The salvation we receive guarantees our position, but it does not give us a free pass to live any way we like.
God disciplines us as his children...
Hebrews 12:4-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”[a]
7 If[b] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paidthem respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed bestto them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
And as stated in 1 Corinthians 3:10–15, we are to build God-honoring lives because the purifying fire of God’s power will make clear which of us have done our best in this lifetime and which of us have not. This judgment differs from the judgment when God will separate those who believe in him from those who don’t. This passage indicates that heavenly rewards await those who build their ministries and lives with eternal materials.
Taken from NIV Essentials of the Christian Faith
