We know about us being an individual temple of God.  This is not what Paul references in 1 Corinthians 3.  He’s talking about the church.  He said, “The church is the temple of God.  It’s the place that God tabernacles.  He visits us, He’s put His name there.”  And he said, “Be careful, for if any man defiles the temple, him shall God judge (or destroy); for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.  Let no man deceive himself. If any man seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”  

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 says “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble;  Every man's work shall be made manifest:” Every man’s work shall be made manifest. “…because it shall revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.  For if any man's work abide he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 

It’s interesting in the context of building on God’s foundation, it’s going to be judged by fire, and then he comes right back, and he makes reference again and says, “Don’t be judging one another.  Be careful how you’re building on this foundation.”  What does it say is going to happen, here?  It says that which was not to God’s glory is going to burn up.  It’s going to be tried by fire.  It will burn up; it has no purpose as it pertains to the individual, but there is a reward for that which remains; amen?  So, we’re coming in there with a no-lose situation.  That that burns up has no consequence to us.  It just is diminished.  That which is good receives a reward.  The thought of somehow there being even the slightest judgment or consequence—now, remember, this isn’t talking about sinning, this is talking about being productive or non-productive, this is talking about motives.  We’ve all done things when we didn’t want to do them; amen?  We’ve come to service when we didn’t come into His courts with thanksgiving and praise.  We just dragged ourselves in here and flopped in the chair.  Tired, upset with something at work, dishwasher just broke at home.  So, we come into His presence, at times almost begrudging it, and then we’re in the presence of the Lord, and we worship Him, and we praise Him; amen?  We’re going to be judged for the good part of that.

Father, we thank You for Your Word, we thank You for Your presence in our lives.  We just ask that, somehow, Father, the truth that we were trying to get across would find its way into the hearts of Your people.  We give You the glory, Father.  There is a day coming, so let the terror of that come upon us and cause us to persuade men.  Help us, Father, to prepare ourselves for the work that’s before us.  You’ve said in Your word that the good that we do, we shall receive of the Lord.  Help us to be a faithful people.  Cause us to become those servants that, someday, will hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.  Enter into the rest.”  We trust You, we wait on You, and we glorify You, Father, in Jesus’ name, amen!