BUILDING MATERIALS

You can be a true believer and still have some distorted views of what that means. Think of all the Christian denominations and how many ways the Word of God has been interpreted. 

Paul speaks to your 'personal' responsibility as a follower of Christ ... 

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder, I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care of how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 

Some have tried to change Christianity into something other than what Paul had established and it has become an unstable foundation on which to build. Church tradition, moral teachings, ethical humanism, pseudo-scientism, or simply a sentimental love expressed by good deeds ...  is not the firm foundation expressed in Scripture. 

It is Jesus Christ ... period. 

His person, His deity, His life, His death, His salvation, His doctrines, His resurrection, His ascension, His Spirit who lives in all Christians, and His return make up the only true foundation. 

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw - each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 1 Corinthians 3:12-13

Every Christian is a builder. God wants us to use the best materials because they alone are worthy of Him, the most effective, and will last. Our purpose is to serve the Lord with all that He's given us ... with full dependence on Him. 

He then determines the ultimate value of each man’s work.

If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.  1 Corinthians 3:14-15 

Daily opportunities become the means by which we build upon that foundation and glorify the Lord. A fiery test is coming that will strip away every excuse and pretension. What we say, think, and do will be measured against what Jesus would say, think, and do.

If you are a true 'born-again' believer, your salvation is not at risk but your works will still be judged. Were you an asset in the building of God's Kingdom? Use your time here on earth for that purpose.