For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
-1 Corinthians 3:11-15
Reading this passage, I Think Just like the builder can choose what material he wants to use to build on top of an already established foundation, which is one.
Our Faith works in the same way, the message of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is and will be every single believer's foundation, there's no other option in this regard.
However Just as the Builder we decide through our free will what we are going to use to edify our faith on top of the single and already established foundation.
Just as the Builder can pick to use hay or Straw as a material to edify his building, we have the same free will to choose to pick material gains, feeling good about ourselves, feeling better than others, and self-centeredness as elements to build our faith.
On the other hand, just as the builder could use strong and valuable materials such as Gold and Costly Stones,We may also choose to select strong, valuable virtuous elements like: Love, Compassion, Humility & Selflessness
The day will come when just like the Fire tests the building, The Trial will test our FaithThe test will prove our character and the substance of our Faith.Depending on what elements we choose for the edification of our faith, the Fire will reveal it.
Whoever comes out the other end approved shall receive the reward of Divine Intervention & Vindication, while testifying about Christ Likeness through their character.
Whoever's faith does not carry Authentic substance for choosing the wrong elements when edifying their faith will suffer loss.
Losing the opportunity to testify about Christ through their Character
And losing the opportunity to see God work on their behalf
However, I do Believe God's Grace is for both, the one whose faith is Golden, as for the one whose Faith is Pure Hay and Straw.In his immense Mercy and Patience, he meets everyone who has accepted Christ right where they are.
As the verse says " The Builder Will Suffer Loss, But yet he will be saved- even though only as one escaping through the flames"
Father help us build our faith with valuable elements, to receive the Reward of presencing your Glory and Divine Intervention, and not just be barely saved like the one who is escaping through the flames.
