1 Cor 3:12 But if anyone builds upon the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, stubble, (13) The work of each will become manifest; for the day will declare it, because it is revealed by fire.... (14) If anyone's work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward; (15) If anyone's work is consumed, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Our salvation is eternal and we cannot perish. However, if you suffer loss, you will be saved "as through fire." Paul definitely says that if a man's work is burned, he will suffer a loss. What kind of work will be burned? The wood, hay, and stubble mentioned in verse 12. What kind of loss will this be? Although we cannot say with certainty, it is definite that some loss will be incurred. It is not the loss of our salvation, for Paul says of the man whose work is burned that "he himself will be saved." Along with Paul, we are simply saying that we must be careful, for when the Lord returns He will ask us to render to Him a full account of our life and work. He will say, "I gave you a certain gift. What have you accomplished for Me since you were saved? What kind of building work have you done? Have you built with wood, hay, and stubble, or with gold, silver, and precious stones?" This will determine whether or not the Lord will reward us. In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul tells us clearly that if our work remains, we shall receive a positive reward, but if our work is consumed, we will suffer loss, although we shall be eternally saved. I dare not say what the loss will be, but I know that it will not be pleasant. I simply present to you the pure Word.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee. Life-study of Romans, pp. 338-339. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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