What happens to a believer's works when they are made manifest before the Lord?
Every believer's work is made manifest, put in the spotlight, and examined by the fiery eyes of the Lord Jesus. Works done with gold, silver, and precious stones cannot be touched by fire; wood, hay, and stubble go up in a puff of smoke. This is primarily based on motive—whether works are for God's honor and glory.
Les explains that if any believer builds upon this foundation, which is Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the materials are gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble. Everyone's work shall be made manifest; Les uses the word "puts in the spotlight" for manifest. Every believer's work will be put in the spotlight, and the fiery eyes of the Lord Jesus will examine everything done as believers. Some things fire cannot touch, such as gold, silver, and precious stones, while others go up in a puff of smoke, like wood, hay, and stubble. Les says this is primarily based on motive: why we do things categorized as good works—whether to please the flesh, please someone else, or strictly for God's honor and glory. He also references verse 13, Ephesians 1, and 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.
What happens to every believer's work according to 1 Corinthians 3?
According to 1 Corinthians 3, every believer's work will be made manifest and examined by the Lord's fiery scrutiny. Works built on the foundation of Jesus Christ—gold, silver, and precious stones—survive the fire, while wood, hay, and stubble are consumed. Motives determine whether the work is done for God's honor and glory.
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.
More Questions
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 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.
What does it mean that every man's work shall be made manifest?
At the judgment, every man's work shall be made manifest, but this is not about a person working for his salvation; it is about the one who has salvation and is now working for reward.
Will any believer escape having his works judged by the Lord?
Every believer's work will be made manifest, and no believer will escape the fiery eyes of the Lord in the judgment of his works.