A subtle passage from 1 Corinthians and it's connection to Work

Sanctification is an area of biblical doctrine where the Work intersects with the eXoteric level. In orthodox (i.e. Reformed, hardcore, what-the-Bible-says doctrine) sanctification has two elements: passive and active. Mainstream Christians neglect the active element. For them it is all passive. God does everything you don't have to do anything. But both are required.

Obviously when you know the Work your understanding of the active element in sanctification is increased. The Work language is an advantage for seeing that area that the mainstream doesn't have.

But the main concern theologically regarding this subject is avoiding conflating justification with sanctification. I.e. there is nothing you can 'do' to save yourself (be justifed before God), other than read the Bible complete because regeneration is effect by the Word and the Spirit when it IS effected.

But anyway this is why Reformed Christians avoid the 'active' role in sanctification. It comes too close to 'works salvation', which is deadly doctrine. Works salvation is doctrine Christians believe who are still under the tyranny of vanity, worldly pride, and self-will (and this is why doctrine itself is more than mere philosophy or words; it is substantial and it involves faith itself and getting above the lower nature inside you).

But the Bible says you can be justified (i.e. saved) and then differ with other saved individuals in how far you develop in your sanctification. Paul talks about it in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. (You have to read it.) He basically says there: have the real foundation (Jesus Christ, which is your justification because He secured that for you because you CAN'T do it for yourself) and then build upon it, but know that what you build will be tried by fire, and some will have what they've built survive the fire and some will have what they've built burnt down by the fire, yet still the person whose building is burned down will still be saved -- because he has the right foundation already, which is everything.

Paul is saying: there is difference of reward in Heaven (different degrees of sanctification or development), yet when you have the foundation (justification) you are still saved no matter what. This is the difference between justification and sanctification. Justification is something God does and it is yours no matter what. There is no degree to it. Sanctification, though, is both passive (what God does) and active (your own efforts), and involves degree, and whatever you develop along its line, if it is solid and survives testing by fire it is yours and you keep it, but if you build something weak and it doesn't survive the testing by fire you still have your salvation (justification) because that is in the foundation, not the building. This is necessary to know and necessary in God's plan because justification is not secured by anything you do, but only by your faith in Christ and His work where He did what Adam failed to do, follow the law. And Jesus also put Himself in your place when he voluntarily gave His life for you, just like an innocent lamb being sacrificed at the alter, except he was God, innocent, and the High Priest Himself sacrificing Himself, and the worth of that was infinite for salvation if you have faith in Him and join yourself to Him and recognize Him as your Sovereign and King.

Regarding sanctification it should also be stated that you also have the default level of sanctification which God does for you, i.e. the 'passive' element of sanctification. This everybody who is saved gets, without any effort on their part. So, really, once saved, everything is OK. But you are also told to work out your salvation in fear and trembling and all that and make active efforts because that is how an elect of God manifests his status of election...

This is where Work knowledge and effort plays its role in Christian doctrine and inner development. This active element of sanctification. IF you have the foundation of justification to begin with.

Roman Catholics and Mormons and Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses and Arminians in general all hold to a works salvation understanding of justification. It shouldn't surprise that all the off-the-mark groups hold to that same off-the-mark understanding of justification. They teach that you can save yourself by your works. That is impossible. Man cannot do. You need the Spirit of God to come into you and regenerate you. You can't do that. Once you have it though THEN you can make real efforts to develop yourself. You already have then the REAL foundation of justification and you have a default degree of sanctification, but you then from that point proceed to develop along the lines of the active element of sanctification. This is what separates saved individuals by degree. By reward.

Anyway, I got into theology there, but the main thing is to see the subtle message in that passage of Paul. It's saying once you have the necessary foundation (Jesus Christ, as he puts it) you have everything you need whether you make efforts from there or not. But if you DO make real efforts (build the building on that foundation) and it's a real building that survives the testing by fire then you have that greater reward than the saved person who makes no effort.

Just don't buy the line that you have to save yourself (works righteousness). It is a deadly lie. Because it keeps you under the tyranny of your vanity, worldly pride, and self-will. You have to get above them. You do that by recognizing that which is above you and that created you and is your true authority and king. Your sovereign. When you recognize the King that is above you (King Jesus, King of the Kingdom of God) then you can then have the real command of a king in your inner domain.

You need that inner reorientation from being man-centered to being God-centered. From self-will to Real Will...