The Wood of Pride, Hay of Self-Love, and Stubble of Self-Complacency Will Be Burned Up

[KenH]

Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone. Galatians 6:4.

“A day is coming, when the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is,” (1 Corinthians 3:13.) O how much WOOD of pride, HAY of self-love, and STUBBLE of self-complacency, will then be burnt up; Yea, and it will be entirely owing to the rich grace, and finished salvation of Jesus (not for any work of ours), that our souls too, are not in that day cast into unquenchable fire. Why then does the apostle bid us prove our own work? That we may be joyful? Alas! says the convinced humble sinner, I have not a work that I dare look at, but instead of giving me joy, it occasions sorrow. “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Lord be gracious to me, an unprofitable servant. Is this the confession of thy heart? Prove it by the word of God. Thou wilt find it agreeable thereto. Rejoice in thyself for it. Give glory to him, who taught thee to know thyself, and put into thine heart the language of grace. Thou art saved from self-righteousness and self-confidence.

- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God, Volume 2, November 16

 

[Van]

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it.

For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw [stubble], each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work.

If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.

If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.​

Here we see that our work upon the foundation of Christ will be tested, and in the illustration wood, hay and straw (stubble) would be burned up by the fire. However, it seems unlikely our misguided efforts upon the foundation of Christ would be limited to pride driven, self-love driven, or un-driven. More likely we were be zealous advocates for false doctrine, like the Pharisees.