Why are believers saved?
Believers are saved not merely to escape hell fire but to serve. That is why God leaves them here on earth after salvation. The context emphasizes that salvation is not the focus of the passage; rather, it concerns reward for living as believers.
Les explains that in these verses dealing with believers, Paul is not dealing with salvation at all; it is totally in the area of reward for living this life as believers. The admonition is that believers are not just saved to escape hell fire but are saved to serve, and that is why He leaves them here. Paul had been dealing with the departure of the soul and spirit from the body, which puts us present with the Lord, and whether present or absent, we may be approved.