Saved Yet Suffering Loss
"If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet so as through fire." – 1 Corinthians 3:15
One of the most sobering truths in Scripture is that it’s possible to belong to Jesus yet arrive in eternity with little to show for how we spent our lives. Paul describes this person vividly: saved, but as one escaping through flames. Salvation is secure, but the life lived for self rather than for Christ leaves only ashes behind.
Think about it—standing before Jesus, the One who bore the cross for us, and realizing that much of what we gave our energy to simply didn’t matter in eternity. Careers, possessions, platforms, accolades—all reduced to dust because they were built on worldly motives. It’s not that these things are inherently bad; it’s that they were never meant to be the foundation.
The Christian life isn’t about scraping by until heaven. It’s about faithfulness—offering every moment, every gift, every opportunity to the glory of God. When we live with eternity in view, ordinary choices take on extraordinary weight. Encouraging a friend, choosing integrity at work, investing in discipleship, showing kindness to the overlooked—these are eternal bricks, set in place where moth and rust can’t destroy.
This passage should awaken us, not discourage us. It calls us to realign our priorities so that when we stand before Christ, our offering isn’t ashes but lives built with gold and stone that endure. Today, ask yourself: am I living for applause that fades in a week, or for rewards that shine forever in God’s kingdom?
Reflection Question
Where in your life might you be investing in things that won’t last? How can you reorient your time and energy toward what carries eternal weight?
"Could you imagine what it would be like to have nothing but ash? That’s what Paul is saying—that we can stand before Christ and feel loss because we wasted the gift of this life on ourselves."
Prayer
Father, I don’t want to stand before You with a life of ashes. Forgive me for investing in things that won’t last. Teach me to treasure what is eternal—to love others, share Your truth, and serve Your kingdom. Help me live each day with eternity in view, so that my offering to You is one of lasting significance. Amen.
One of the most sobering truths in Scripture is that it’s possible to belong to Jesus yet arrive in eternity with little to show for how we spent our lives. Paul describes this person vividly: saved, but as one escaping through flames. Salvation is secure, but the life lived for self rather than for Christ leaves only ashes behind.
Think about it—standing before Jesus, the One who bore the cross for us, and realizing that much of what we gave our energy to simply didn’t matter in eternity. Careers, possessions, platforms, accolades—all reduced to dust because they were built on worldly motives. It’s not that these things are inherently bad; it’s that they were never meant to be the foundation.
The Christian life isn’t about scraping by until heaven. It’s about faithfulness—offering every moment, every gift, every opportunity to the glory of God. When we live with eternity in view, ordinary choices take on extraordinary weight. Encouraging a friend, choosing integrity at work, investing in discipleship, showing kindness to the overlooked—these are eternal bricks, set in place where moth and rust can’t destroy.
This passage should awaken us, not discourage us. It calls us to realign our priorities so that when we stand before Christ, our offering isn’t ashes but lives built with gold and stone that endure. Today, ask yourself: am I living for applause that fades in a week, or for rewards that shine forever in God’s kingdom?
Reflection Question
Where in your life might you be investing in things that won’t last? How can you reorient your time and energy toward what carries eternal weight?
"Could you imagine what it would be like to have nothing but ash? That’s what Paul is saying—that we can stand before Christ and feel loss because we wasted the gift of this life on ourselves."
Prayer
Father, I don’t want to stand before You with a life of ashes. Forgive me for investing in things that won’t last. Teach me to treasure what is eternal—to love others, share Your truth, and serve Your kingdom. Help me live each day with eternity in view, so that my offering to You is one of lasting significance. Amen.
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