The value of a believer's works is determined by the motive behind them, not by how much is done.
Les Feldick teaches that at the judgment seat of Christ, every believer's work will be tested by fire. Works done because we love the Lord and for His glory will count for reward as gold, silver, and precious stones. Works done to show people what we can accomplish will count for nothing — wood, hay, and stubble.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 — This passage describes how each believer's work will be tested by fire to determine its quality and whether it earns reward or suffers loss.
2 Corinthians 5:10 — It states that all believers must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what they have done in the body, whether good or bad.
Scripture teaches that every believer's work will be tested. First Corinthians 3:12-15 says that if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble, 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. If a man's work abides, he shall receive a reward; if his work is burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved. Second Corinthians 5:10 adds that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Les Feldick emphasizes that at the judgment seat of Christ, the question will not be how much we have done but the motivation behind what we have done. He explains that if a believer teaches or serves only to show others what he knows or can accomplish, it counts for nothing — it is wood, hay, and stubble. But if the work is done because we love the Lord and want Him to receive the glory, it will count for reward as gold, silver, and precious stones. He also clarifies that works have no part in salvation; a believer is saved by faith plus nothing, but after salvation we are to work and serve to God's glory because rewards are being laid up for eternity.
At the judgment seat of Christ, every believer — not unbelievers — will appear before the Lord. Les Feldick says the believer's works will be put under an intense spotlight, the penetrating fiery eyes of the Lord Jesus. This judgment is not for sin; it is to examine every believer's work and determine whether it is gold, silver, and precious stones or wood, hay, and stubble. If the work is burned, the believer suffers loss of reward, not loss of salvation.
Les Feldick is clear that works can never merit salvation. He points to Abraham, who simply believed God and it was counted as righteousness. Anything done with the thought 'I better do this so I'll merit heaven' is works and cannot save. Joining a church, walking an aisle, giving, or tithing will not buy salvation. Salvation is by faith plus nothing, and works belong to the area of Christian service and reward after salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that the prospect of reward is what should drive a believer to live a fruitful life. The rewards are laid up and will be enjoyed for all eternity, compared to 70 or 80 years in this life. Everything done for God's glory is like sending treasure ahead; it will be waiting at the judgment seat of Christ. Believers who have much gold, silver, and precious stones will receive much reward, while those with mostly wood, hay, and stubble will have nothing.
Motivation Behind the Work
Les demonstrates the principle of motivation: a teacher who teaches only to show off what he knows will receive nothing, while works done out of love for the Lord and for His glory will count for reward.
Works Made Manifest
Les explains that at the judgment seat of Christ every believer's day-to-day works will be made manifest under an intense spotlight — the fiery eyes of Christ — and the believer is examined not for sin but for works.
Wood, Hay, and Stubble
Using the imagery of a wall built with wood, hay, and stubble, Les shows that worthless works will burn up and the believer will suffer loss of reward, not loss of salvation.
Reward Motivates Service
Les teaches that the reward laid up for faithful service should motivate the believer to a fruitful life, just as Olympic athletes strive for a prize.
Sending Treasure Ahead
Les emphasizes that everything done for God's glory is 'sent ahead' and will be waiting as reward when the believer arrives at the judgment seat of Christ.
Faith, Not Works, for Salvation
Les uses Abraham to show that salvation is by faith without works — righteousness is counted to the one who believes.
Works Cannot Merit Heaven
Les points out that joining a church, walking an aisle, giving, or tithing are all works that cannot earn salvation.
Tested by Fire
Les says the day will declare what sort of work each believer has built, as Christ's fiery eyes test whether it is gold, precious stones, and silver or wood, hay, and stubble.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15: Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Paul shows that every believer's work will be tested by fire to determine its quality and whether it earns reward.
2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
This is the judgment seat of Christ where every believer receives the things done in the body.
Romans 4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Les cites this to show that righteousness is counted by faith, not works.
They will be burned as wood, hay, and stubble at the judgment seat of Christ. The believer will suffer loss of reward, but not loss of salvation.
No. Les Feldick says the believer will not come before the Lord with sin; the judgment seat of Christ is for examining works and determining rewards.
By doing them with the right motive — because you love the Lord and for His glory, not to show people what you can accomplish.
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