What loss does a believer suffer if his works are burned at the bema seat?
At the bema seat, a believer whose works are burned suffers the loss of reward, not salvation. The fire tests every work; wood, hay, and stubble are consumed, yet the believer himself is saved, though as by fire, with nothing to show for it.
Les explains that at the bema seat the Lord Jesus tests every believer's work by fire, revealing what sort it is. If a believer's work is wood, hay, and stubble, it is burned up, and he suffers loss. That loss is not his salvation but his reward. He himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire: he makes it to glory, but he has nothing to show for it. Les notes that this will be true of far too many believers.
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
If a Christian's works are burned at the judgment seat of Christ, will he still be saved?
Yes. Scripture promises that even when a believer’s works are burned as wood, hay, and stubble, he suffers loss yet is still saved. The careless believer will be present there, though perhaps only by the skin of his teeth, because salvation is not forfeited by unfruitful works.
What does wood, hay, and stubble represent in the bema seat judgment?
Wood, hay, and stubble symbolize a believer's works done from wrong motives or lacking eternal value. Fire tests every man's work; these works burn, causing loss of reward, yet the believer himself is saved, though as by fire, with nothing to show for it.
More Questions
What does it mean if a believer's work is burned at the judgment?
If a believer's work is burned at the judgment, it means he had nothing but wood, hay, and stubble because he never worked to get gold, silver, and precious stones.
Will a Christian still be saved if his work is burned?
A believer whose work is burned will still be saved.