Who examines every believer's work, and how?
The Lord Jesus Christ examines every believer’s work. Every believer’s work will be made manifest, or put in the spotlight, and the very fiery eyes of the Lord Jesus will examine everything done as believers. The fire reveals whether it is gold, silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, and stubble, primarily according to motive.
Les explains that if any believer builds upon the foundation—Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord—then gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble will be made manifest. He says manifest means put in the spotlight. Every believer’s work is put in the spotlight, and the fiery eyes of the Lord Jesus examine everything done as believers. The gold, silver, and precious stones are things the fire cannot touch, while wood, hay, and stubble go up in a puff of smoke. Les adds this is primarily based on motive: why we do things categorized as good works—to please the flesh, to please someone else, or strictly for God’s honor and glory. He also references Revelation where the eyes of the Lord Jesus are as fire.
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.
More Questions
What does it mean that every believer's work will be made manifest?
Every believer's work shall be made manifest, which means it will be put in the spotlight.
How will a believer's work be tested at the judgment?
Every believer's work will be tested by fire to reveal what sort it is.
What is the fire that tests every believer's work in 1 Corinthians 3?
The fire that tests every man's work of what sort it is, is the fiery eyes of the Lord Jesus described in the book of Revelation.
What determines whether a believer's good works survive the fire?
Whether a believer's work survives the testing is primarily based on motive, that is, why we do the things we categorize as good works — whether to please the flesh, to please someone else, or strictly for God's honor and glory.