1 Corinthians 3:13-15

Scripture: 1 Cor. 3:13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

1 Cor. 3:14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.

1 Cor. 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Teaching: Last week we covered the aspects of these verses that teach that we are saved by faith (not works), but our works enable us to earn reward in the Kingdom. However, those works are not judged by us but only by Christ. Said another way, just because we think something is good does not mean Christ does, and only His decision counts. To understand what Paul is teaching in these verses, we need to understand a couple terms: “revealed by fire” and “the Day.”

Fire is a common metaphor in the Bible for purification. The fire of the Holy Spirit, given to each believer, is the refining element in each of our sanctification – through teaching, counseling, and conviction, the Holy Spirit gradually burns away that which is not of Christ within us (see Matt. 3:11-12, Luke 3:16-17, John 16:8, 1 Thess. 5:19) . Additionally, the way Paul is using “fire” in verse 13 is reminiscent of what God says in Ezekiel 22:17-22. In that passage, God tells the people of Israel that the coming Babylonian siege is designed to be a refining time for them as His people, turning them away from idolatry. God uses the metaphor of metal refinement to describe what His intentions are for Israel in this time of exile. The refining process for precious metals is to heat them until they melt, and the “slag” or “dross” (the impure, lower quality metals mixed into the precious metals) fall away, and subsequent cooling results in a pure block of silver or gold. This fire, in a sense, tests the metal, melting it beyond its own strength, before cooling and resulting in a purer version of itself. The impurities are burned away. This is an apt metaphor for the tests and trials of life that God allows for each of us to endure so that we learn to trust Him, turn from our own sin and pride, and walk more closely with Him afterwards.

The “Day” that Paul references in verse 13 is the “Day of the Lord.” This is the coming Day when Christ establishes His Kingdom on earth, ending the power of Satan and sinful man. In that Day, we as believers are with Him and enjoy the blessings of His Kingdom. But in this Kingdom, Scripture teaches that we will have rewards for what we have done in this life to serve and glorify Christ. However, Christ is the judge of what deserves reward and what does not, and just like the refining fire in Ezekiel, Christ tests our works by fire. That which burns away is then revealed to have been idolatrous, prideful, self-serving or in any way un-Christlike. Thus, the works that survive this refining and revealing fire will earn reward because they were truly Christ-like and Christ-glorifying.

Takeaway: This is a sobering teaching in Scripture, and should be received as such. But it is such grace to understand this now rather than when we face this judgement! By faith we enter the Kingdom – it is not dependent upon works; however, how sad it would be to approach the throne of Christ believing that we have done so many things in His name only to find it all burned away because it was not truly to glorify Him (but rather, to empower or glorify ourselves). This would be devastating not just in that moment for ourselves – but more importantly, we would realize we wasted our lifetime building our own kingdoms rather than Christ’s. Thus it is such grace that we are told these things in Scripture so that we can repent of such works now and pursue what truly matters. Today, take your works to the feet of Christ in prayer; ask Him, does this glorify you or me?