If we are saved by grace, why are we judged by our deeds?
A couple of people have already explained that it is to determine if our deeds are worthy of heavenly rewards.
I would like to explain that in an little more detail.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (NKJV)
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12 [/SUP] Now if anyone builds on this foundation
with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
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13 [/SUP]
each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
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14 [/SUP]
If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
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15 [/SUP] If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
The reward is not literally gold, silver, and precious stones. That is symbolism for that which of value in heaven. The Bible does not actually say what ALL that might be. Just speculating, since we will be serving our KING in His Kingdom; I would much rather be teaching the Children born in the Kingdom, than on permanent KP duty, washing the pots and pans. So perhaps it involves our choice of duties. Perhaps it involves our choice of dwelling places, though I doubt it; but even if it does I would be perfectly happy with a shack out back on the Cyrstal River. The Trout Fishing is bound to be GREAT! Perhaps it involves where we stand before the Throne of Grace. No matter what it is, the handing out of the Rewards will be fair and JUST.
We are told what one of the reward types actually is, and that is Crowns. Before you get to picturing a king's crown, that is referring to the Laurel Wreath Crowns that were handed out to the winning Athletes of the original Olympic style of Games. It is obvious from some of the things that Paul said, he was quite a fan of the sports games.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (HCSB)
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7 [/SUP] I have fought the good fight, I have
finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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8 [/SUP] There is
reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
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5 [/SUP] Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive
the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
There are also the following Crowns that we can be rewarded with:
Crown of Life
Crown of Glory
Crown of Rejoicing
So what did those athletes of 2000 years ago do with their Laurel Wreath Crowns? After being crowned, they would proudly walk over to the front row of the stadium where the Kings all sat; they would kneel before their King, remove their Crown, and as they said, "I won this for you, my King!"; they would cast it at the feet of their King. I believe that is exactly what will have the honor of doing with our Laurel Wreath Crowns.
So what determines if our works are worthy of REWARDS? MOTIVE!
Only works done for the right MOTIVE will be Rewarded, the rest will be burned up.
So what is the right Motive? LOVE for the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:15 (HCSB)
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15 [/SUP]
“If you love Me, you will keep My commands.
Colossians 2:18-19 (NKJV)
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18 [/SUP] Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in
false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
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19 [/SUP] and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase
that is from God.