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That field which bears thorns and briars is rejected (adokimos), and is nigh unto
cursing: whose end is to be burned (Heb. 6: 8). Observe that the field is not actually
cursed, but is `nigh unto' it. So, in I Cor. 3: 14 the word `reward' is left unexplained
and unqualified, but in the next verse, `he shall suffer loss' is expanded. The Apostle is
concerned that we should not misunderstand him. "He shall SUFFER loss" does not
mean that `he shall be LOST'. Consequently he proceeds: "But he himself shall be
saved, YET SO AS BY FIRE." The builder will escape, but his building will be
consumed, his whole work wasted. He will appear before His Lord with nothing.
This line of teaching is found elsewhere, namely for example in II Tim. 2: 11-13
where the distinction is observed. It is a solemn thought, and as stewards and ministers
of the Word it becomes us to walk humbly and faithfully.
No.4.
The Judgment of intention.
pp. 57 - 60
We have seen that at the judgment seat of Christ, the believer's service will either be
rewarded or he will suffer loss, and now before examining other Scriptures which speak
somewhat particularly about the distribution of reward or loss, let us turn aside and note
the way in which the service rendered by others long past has been assessed in the Word
of God. In doing so let us remember that the sentence pronounced by the Lord as Judge
in that day will be in entire harmony with the Word:
"I judge him not . . . . . he . . . . . hath one that judgeth him. The word that I have
spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12: 47, 48).
This word is likened to a two edged sword, indeed it is said to be even `sharper', and it
divides asunder `soul and spirit'; in other words, it is a `discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart' (Heb. 4: 12). The word translated `discerner' is kritikos, from krites
`a judge'. While it is gloriously true that `there is no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus', this does not remove the necessity to stand before the Lord as Judge, for
Paul, in view of his approaching martyrdom, conscious that he had finished his course
and kept the faith said:
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous JUDGE, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also
that love His appearing" (II Tim. 4: 8).
The word krites `judge' was in common use for the Umpire at the Greek contests, and
is so used here by the Apostle.
If Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and all who love His appearing shall stand before
the Judge, it is unscriptural to assume that no member of the One Body, no believer
during the dispensation of the Mystery, has any association with the judgment seat of
Christ.