I. The Scripture

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11 )
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (1 Corinthians 3:12)
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. (1 Corinthians 3:13)
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:14)
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. “ (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
A. 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For Other Foundation Can No Man Lay...”
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
This judgment is pertaining to Christians only. Since this judgment takes place in Heaven after the Rapture, only the saved are in Heaven, not the lost. Only the Christian builds on the Foundation of Christ, not the lost.
1. Many have wondered, Will they be judged for the sins they have committed prior to being saved? The answer is "No." It is made clear from 2 Corinthians 5:17,
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”- 2 Corinthians 5:17
2. The word "CREATURE" is the Greek "KTISIS," used here as a noun. Its primary meaning is that of creating; whether it be of the world, building, people, or etc.; depending on the context. Here it should have been better translated as "creation." Notice the word "NEW," which is the Greek "KAINOS" and which has reference to a new time, a new nature, which equals a new person spiritually.
3. Prior to being saved, humanity was identified and labeled as stated in 1 Corinthians 2:14,
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. “ (1 Corinthians 2:14)
At the moment a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, as stated in Ephesians 1:13,
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
4. Now that the person, at a new time (i.e., accepted Christ as Savior) became a new creation (now indwelt with the Holy Spirit), and will never be confronted with any of their sins prior to being saved. 2 Corinthians 5:17 b substantiates this,
“...old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 b”
a. "old things" (all sins prior to Salvation.
b. "are passed away" (basically, the Greek means to: "pass by, pass away, perish, disregard, and etc.
c. "all things become new" (all things become new in God's eyes, as He keeps account of your life, from the time you were saved, until you leave this Earth via death or the Rapture; but, never the past.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12
“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19
B. 1 Corinthians 3:12, “Now If Any Man Build Upon This Foundation...”
“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”
The “gold, silver, precious stones” are characteristic of how you used your faithfulness, abilities and life for the Lord. The words "wood, hay, and stubble" are representative of our unfaithfulness to the Lord.
This involves a tremendous battle between the old Adamic nature we inherited at birth; and our new nature, the Holy Spirit. Each one will attempt to control your life. This fact is made crystal clear in Galatians 5:16-17,
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye CANNOT do the things that ye would.”
Notice the word "CANNOT" in Verse 17. This is a mistranslation. The Greek is "ME," pronounced "may." It is a prime particle of qualified negation; which means it is not an absolute. It should have been translated as "('should not') do the things that ye would..."; by the old nature. Now, when the word cannot is used as an impossibility, a different Greek word is used; which is "ouch." This is demonstrated in 1 Corinthians 15:50,
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood (our human bodies) cannot (Gr. "ouch" (absolutely cannot) inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”
Galatians 3:17 is another example of "ouch" as an absolute. The reason I brought this out is that the Pentecostals use the same verse in Galatians 5:17, saying "If you are really saved, you will not want to; nor, will you sin anymore." This is a Satanic teaching.
This mistranslation of "cannot" in Galatians 5:17 is the difference between a true and a false doctrine. In other words, if a Christian could never sin after they are saved; then how did they produce the wood, hay and stubble, and the loss of rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ?
2 Timothy 2:20 also accentuates the Judgment Seat of Christ.
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.”
C. 1 Corinthians 3:13, “Every man's work shall be made manifest:...”
“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.”
1.Notice "Every man's work" (i.e., good and bad) shall be made manifest." The Greek for "manifest" is "PLENEROS," and means "visible, known, openly, etc. This would be contradictory to those who claim this is only a rewarding stand and that the details of the loss of rewards will not surface!
2. Notice the word "fire." It is the Greek word "pur" and used as a noun. Besides its ordinary, natural significance as fire, it is also used to represent the absolute Divine Holiness and Righteousness of God's judgment.
I remember years ago when our pastor, Dr. Thomas Duff, who had lived in Middletown, Ohio, where there were iron refineries. In one of his illustrations, he told how the raw stock was heated to a high degree until it liquefied, and the impurities came to the top to be removed.
Since God is not a "respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34), He will also bring to the surface the impurities of a Christian's life; which are valued as "loss of rewards."
3. Notice the words "of what sort it is." It literally means, the good and bad works; this is self-explanatory.
D. 1 Corinthians 3:14, “If Any Man’s Work Abide...”
“If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.”
The rewards will vary as 1 Corinthians 3:8 states,
“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”
Christians will be servants of Christ within the thousand-year earthly reign of Christ. Many Christians will be busy with many ways to serve during this time. Others will standing around, doing nothing but watching from the sidelines, just as they did on Earth.
The saying on Earth is, "There are Christians who make things happen; there are Christians who watch things happen; and, then there are Christians who have no idea what is happening!”
E. 1 Corinthians 3:15, “If Any Man’s Work Shall Be Burned...”
“If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
1. This verse is proof of God's Divine righteousness of His Word. Here, for example, is a Christian in Heaven with hardly any good works. He lived his life for, "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." (1 John 2:16). BUT, he is still saved; or he would not be in Heaven at this judgment!
2. There are those self-righteous fools who laugh and denounce "Once saved, always saved!" In doing so, they accuse God of being a liar; and, justifying themselves by relying on good works for Salvation. They contradict themselves by saying they believe you are saved by grace through faith; BUT, if you do no display good works after you are saved, you will lose your Salvation.
The problem is, if you lose your Salvation through lack of good works, then the only way to get it back the second time is by earning it with good works. In other words, in their minds, you got Salvation the first time as a gift from God. Now, the second time you have to work before you get it back. Satan loves these false teachers, as God exposes them in 2 Corinthians, Chapter 11, Verses 3 and 13,
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3)
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:13)
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
F. God’s Will For the Christian “In a Nutshell.”
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (Titus 2:11)
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:12)
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)
Jim Elliot, one of the five missionaries to the Auca Indians in Ecuador, who was killed, said before his death.
"He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Remember, your life is precious to the Lord. Don't waste it. It is the only one you have down here!
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,” Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “T'was worth it all”;
Only one life, t'will soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
By C.T. Studd
G. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, All Christians Will Be There.
“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be ACCEPTED of him. (2 Corinthians 5:9)
FOR WE MUST ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
1. "accepted" in 2 Corinthians 5:9 is the Greek word "EUARESTOS. "The "EU" is (well) and "ARESTOS" means (pleasing); therefore, "well-pleasing." This labor instills a mental peace and rest which is described in Matthew 11:29,
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find REST unto your souls.”
Most people appreciate being recognized for the nice things they do for others. Our wonderful Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, also lets His children know that they will be rewarded for their faithfulness and labor for Him; as "it is not in vain."
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)
2. Satan's crowd sometimes will use 2 Corinthians 5:9, by saying you must have good works by laboring for the Lord to inherit eternal life. This is easily refuted by the fact that this judgment takes place after the Rapture, in Heaven.
Therefore, the "we must all" includes the spiritual and carnal, "whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10). In other words, how could the "bad" be in Heaven, if it takes good works to get there, as these false teachers proclaim.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
We only go to our Father in Heaven by Christ and His payment for our sins on the Cross. Therefore, contradicting Satan's crowd who are projecting a counterfeit of self-righteousness of works.
Christ encountered the same "Pharisees" as the Christians faces today. Here is Christ's rebuke to these heretics.
“And he (Christ) spake this parable unto certain (Pharisees) which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: (Luke 18:9)
And he (Christ) said unto them (Pharisees), Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15)
H. Romans 14:10-12, “...For We Shall All Stand At the Judgment Seat of Christ.”
At the Judgment Seat of Christ, every knee SHALL bow and every tongue SHALL confess and SHALL give account of himself to God.
“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall ALL stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:10)
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee SHALL bow to me, and every tongue SHALL confess to God. (Romans 14:11)
So then every one of us SHALL give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:10-12)
1. Notice the word "ALL" in Romans 14:10. No Christian can escape this judgment, as it includes the faithful and the unfaithful; as they have lived their lives after they were saved.
2. Notice the word "SHALL" which appears twice in Romans 14:11 and once in Romans 14:12. In other words, we have no choice; as you and I will stand before Christ face to face.
3. I have heard and was taught by some that the Judgment Seat of Christ is from the Greek word, "BEMA," meaning "a rewarding stand, or a place of receiving rewards. "Therefore," they say, "We will not be embarrassed by any of the known acts we have done to suffer loss of rewards." I wish this were true; but, I am afraid it is not! In Romans 14:12 we read...
So then every one of us shall give ACCOUNT of himself to God.
Notice the word "ACCOUNT." It is the Greek word "LOGOS." Its meaning is (a word, or saying, also means "an account which one gives by word of mouth.") It also denotes the expression of thought—not the mere name of an object.” (Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).
It appears from the meaning of the word "account," that there will be an exchange of words between our Savior and His children at this judgment for rewards; or, loss of rewards. It will be wonderful to be rewarded for our faithfulness and dedicated service to Him.
On the other hand, it could be embarrassing, should one be addressed about their sins of omission. Why didn't I do the things I had an opportunity to do for the Lord? The Lord may respond by handing me a record for the hundreds of excuses I have given him; which were of no value, except LOSS OF REWARDS.
Then there are the sins of commission. That is, those things that I did that I knew were wrong. All of us will be guilty of some; and some Christians will be guilty of many. I would not be surprised if our wonderful Savior would not remind us of what He has written in James 4:17,
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
I am quite sure every Christian will have to forfeit some rewards because of this verse.
Our Savior, who is the Master Teacher; also used the Greek word "LOGOS," for our English word "account" in "The Parable of the Unjust Steward"; which begins in Luke 16:1-2,
“And he (Christ) said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. (Luke 16:1)
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account (Gr. Logos) of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. “ (Luke 16:1-2)
4. The Greek word "LOGOS" is also translated as an object, that object being the Divine God and the Divine Son, Jesus Christ, as seen in John 1:1,
“In the beginning was the Word (Gr. Logos), and the Word (Gr. Logos) was with God, and the Word (Gr. Logos) was God.”
In John 1:14, God became flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ.
“And the Word (Gr. Logos) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
This title is also used in 1 John 5:7, in documenting the Trinity.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Gr. Logos), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
“God” is the Hebrew, “Elohim,” meaning three or more. In other words, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. A complimentary verse in the Old Testament to 1 John 5:7 is found in Deuteronomy 6:4,
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”
In other words, “...The LORD (Jehovah, singular) our God (Elohim, three) is one LORD (singular, Jehovah):” This is, therefore, the Trinity: God, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Notice in Genesis 1:1,"In the beginning God (Heb. Elohim, three) created..." This is the Trinity.
a. God, the Father created:
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
b. Christ, the Son, created:
“The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:2) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:2-3
c. The Holy Spirit created:
“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2
I. God’s Will For His Children.
God's will for His children is that He wants them to not be ashamed of Him.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (Php_2:9)
That at the name of Jesus every knee SHOULD bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Php_2:10)
And that every tongue SHOULD confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Php_2:9-11
1. Notice the word "SHOULD," which is from the Greed "MELLO." It is the same Greek word that is translated "SHALL" three times in Romans 14:11-12. The Greek word "MELLO" is used in various ways, depending upon the context. For example, it may be used to show free will, purpose, certainty, compulsion, or necessity; as the context requires.
Since Romans 14:11-12 is speaking of the Judgment Seat of Christ where every Christian will be present; therefore, the word "SHALL" is used showing the absolute certainty that all Christians will be present, according to the context, whether they want to or not!
In other words, you would not translate "MELLO" as "should"; as, this would leave it up to the free will of the Christian whether they would be there or not. This would contradict the context of Scripture.
Notice Php_2:10 ("That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." "BOW" here is the Greek word "KAMPTO," and literally means (to bend). In the spiritual sense, you are bending your knee and bowing in adoration and exaltation of your Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Greek word, “MELLO,” is translated properly as “should”; as the Christian has the free will to serve the Lord; or, not to serve the Lord.
a. "…of things in heaven…" (Revelation 4:8-9)
The Seraphims:
“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (Revelation 4:8)
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,” (Revelation 4:8-9)
These are the Seraphims of Isaiah 6:2; Isaiah 6:6; some of God's heavenly, angelic creatures.
b. “The Four and Twenty Elders” in Heaven. (Revelation 4:10-11)
“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (Revelation 4:10)
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:10-11
c. "...and things in earth." It would be wonderful if every Christian had the same attitude as the Apostle Paul.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”- Romans 1:16
d. "and things under the earth." These are those in the Torment of Hell (Gr. Hades) in the center of the Earth. They will remain there until they are brought up and join the Unsaved at the Great White Throne Judgment, at the end of the Millennium; where all the Lost will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity. This is the Second Death.
“And death and hell (Gr. Hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. “ (Revelation 20:14
Those in Hell should bow in acknowledgment that they put themselves there, not God. Now living the torments of Hell, how could they not remember the many times they had been witnessed to? There will be some who will curse God for all eternity in torment. There will be others that will remember that God loved them and gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for their sins. They will be honest enough not to blame God for their demise. Some will acknowledge they are there of their own free will; by their own free will of choice, to believe or not believe. They made the wrong choice!
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36