SCRIPTURE 1 Corinthians 3:11–15 “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, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, 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.”  

COMMENTARY Although this would seem to teach that we what we do in this world does not affect our salvation, the context of the entire passage demonstrates the work described is the making of disciples which is what builds God’s church. That is some of the disciples will be of a sort that endure when tested and some will be of a sort that will be destroyed by fire and will not endure (see John 15:1-6).  Yet no man is responsible for another’s actions and no matter how diligent we are as ministers, each person’s faith (or lack thereof) will either acquit or condemn them.  Indeed, in context, it shows the exact opposite of what those claiming it to be a passage in defense of guaranteed, unconditional eternal security.  In fact, as we discussed before, every place in Scripture where the eternal destiny of a person is determined, it is based on what they do with the faith given them.  This alone refutes the idea that this is generic works which mean nothing in the end.