The Judgement Seat Of Christ

I Corinthians 3:11-15

This section describes what will happen at the Judgement Seat of Christ, which is mentioned in II Corinthians 5:10, and also in Romans 4:10.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. --

Christ Jesus is the only foundation we can build on; any other basis will be destroyed with the Earth and everything on it.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; --

If what we do is in the power of the Spirit working in us, or if we're still acting according to our flesh.

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the Day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

What each of us has done in this life will be clearly seen at that time to be either valuable with eternal spiritual results, or worthless being burned up by the fire.

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Any man's work that will withstand the fire, not being burned up, will also be rewarded eternally. Rewards are often spoken of as "crowns" (9:25; I Thessalonians 2:19; II Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; I Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10; 3:11; 4:4,10).

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. --

This is loss of reward, the person will still be saved, because our works have nothing to do with salvation, that's all of God. But it will be as though the person has gone through the fire, and has come out "by the skin of his teeth" with nothing else to show for it but his very self. 

I think that this would be very sad for that person, to have nothing to give back to our Lord, as the Elders who sit on thrones around the Lord's throne, "cast their crowns before the throne" (Revelation 4:10).

This judgement is only for Christians, those who will be Resurrected at the Rapture and those who have died before that event. The rest of the people who are the lost will be judged at the end of Time at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15).

So I want to be constantly aware of my Father with me all the time, doing everything I do in His power, through His Spirit in me. Because everything I do in my flesh has never worked out for me, anyway; that's why I gave my life to Him to live for me when He saved me. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!