But if the Christian salvation is not the bringing of us to Heaven but is our placement in the Kingdom of Heaven according to our relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, and if being saved by fire means we shall enter the realm of bodiless spirits without spiritual clothing of any kind, suffering rebuke (and perhaps much worse) at the hands of an angry Christ, unable to have fellowship with the redeemed spirits who have served their Lord, being held in contempt by those around us, then we who were careless did not deceive God after all. Our behavior was unfaithful and we were paid off in kind.

We were saved from destruction through the prayers of our relatives, or for some other reason known to the Lord; but we forfeited our right to our inheritance as a son of God.

If we are hoping to be saved as by fire we are taking a terrifying chance with our eternal destiny. What if we are not saved after all?

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition [destruction]; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:39)

Notice the contrast: either we believe to the saving of our soul or else we draw back to destruction.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:7)

The inference from the above verse is that if we do not overcome we will not inherit all things, God will not be our God and we will not be God's son. To overcome is to emerge a victor in the struggle to conquer the love of the world, the lusts of the flesh, and self-will. It is to defeat all enemies that come against us in the fight of faith. It is not speaking of the careless, lukewarm believer who knows he ought to serve the Lord but cannot find the time or strength to do so.

There is more to the Kingdom of God than "being saved," being delivered from the Lake of Fire. There is more to inheriting the Kingdom of God than receiving "God's riches at Christ's expense," no matter how much that idea may appeal to our self-love.

We ourselves must be worthy of the Kingdom of God.

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: (II Thessalonians 1:5)

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)

There are some passages of Scripture that appear to suggest the believers whom Christ deems worthy of His acceptance, but who are "bruised reeds," will be "healed" by the Lord at a later date.

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2)

"With healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up."

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

To be continued.