For no other foundation can anyone lay

.... than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). The analogy is of our being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). Christ is our solid foundation, and we build on that foundation.  The building materials are our works (verse 13), and our righteousness (verses16, 17). We are saved neither by our works, nor by our righteousness. We are saved however, to do good works, and we're called to be holy (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:16).

“The Day” of verse 13, is the Day of Judgement,  and we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Note that Paul is taking to Christians there!  Our works and righteousness will be judged on the Day,  by fire (verse 13). If we have Christ as our solid foundation we will be saved “yet so as through fire” (verse 15). Wood looks solid, but it cannot endure fire. Perhaps these works are those we do to be seen by men, or perhaps this is the stubble (Matthew 6:1, 5). If we are relying on our own righteousness (i.e. “I'm a good person”), we do not have Christ as our solid foundation.  The purpose of fire is to refine (Zechariah 13:9), it will not touch Christ who was without sin (Hebrews 4:15), but all our own righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

Before that Day, in the here and now, we will likely encounter “fiery trials,” which are here to test us (1 Peter 4:12). Such trials and temptations have the potential to refine us.   Perhaps this was part of why Paul could welcome infirmities, reproaches, needs,  persecutions and distresses (2 Corinthians 12:10). In particular, when we respond His way to these things, the stuff that needs to get burnt up, gets burnt up.  When this happens we will hear from the lips of Jesus the words of  commendation and praise “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:23).  

Father, I want to thank You again this morning that You have not left us wondering if we will make it to heaven when we die. You tell us clearly “He who has the Son has life,” and that the things that are written are written.  so that we may “know we have eternal life” (1 John 5:12, 13). As the hymn writes put is “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”  But Lord it is not enough for me to know that I'm saved, I want to do the works that You have prepared for me to do (Ephesians 2:10), and I want to hear Your words “Well done good and faithful servant.” Thank You Holy Spirit that You promise that if we acknowledge You in all our ways, You will direct our steps, and make the way plain. We praise and bless You again this morning Lord in  Jesus Name Amen