How do believers become builders in the Christian life?
In the Christian life, believers become builders by virtue of their works, building into the building they construct with God. God provides six materials: gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble. Three withstand fire; three are consumed. Their works will be tested for reward, not salvation.
Les explains that in the Christian life, by virtue of their works, believers become builders. They are building into the building they are constructing with God. God gives six materials: gold, silver, and precious stones, and wood, hay, and stubble. Three withstand heat and fire; three go up in a puff of smoke. The Scripture cited says every believer's work will be made manifest and tested by fire. This is not hell fire or the lake of fire; it relates to the judgment seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5, where believers are judged not for salvation or sin but for reward. Christ's fiery eyes penetrate the whole Christian record. After testing, only gold, silver, and precious stones remain, and on that basis God gives reward for eternity—responsibilities in the kingdom, not the crowns.