The Judgment Seat of Christ is like an annual job evaluation. It is an absolutely fascinating thing that God chooses to pay all of us when we have faithfully done something for his Son. When we serve God, we are not making payments on our salvation. Salvation is a free gift. It is neither earned nor deserved. And the proof of that is the fact that God rewards us or pays us for our service.
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
Being paid for our service is not automatic. It first has to be evaluated as to its significance. Did we really invest ourselves in service for Christ or was it merely a hobby or an act of indifference? The wood, hay, and stubble represent indifferent service. The gold and silver and precious stones represent sincere and serious service. God pays us a great wage for quality service.
