It is only our works done in the flesh that God will judge by fire; our souls are secure. Scripture is explicit in putting our works into one of six categories. The works worthy of God are not destroyed by fire and they are listed as gold, silver and precious stones. Works considered worthless will be consumed by fire and are noted as wood, hay and stubble. My great fear is having no works that survive the fire. What works qualify for each category? Theologians have come up with a list of works God should reward, although Scripture isn’t specific. Works considered to be positive and worthy of reward include the following:
1. How we treat other believers
2. How we exercise our authority over others
3. How we employ our God-given abilities
4. How we use our money
5. How much we suffer for Jesus
6. How we spend our time.
7. How we run the race God gives us. 8. How effectively we control the old nature:
1 Cor 9:25-27 – And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
I interpret the above Scripture to mean we must control ourselves so we don’t sin to excess and we must ask for forgiveness immediately when we do sin. We must be single minded of purpose in obeying God’s commands. We must have a plan for our walk with God; how we will emulate Jesus and how we will share our witness for Christ. We need a personal heavenly rewards plan if we want to maximize our rewards in heaven.