Sometimes this verse is used to support the idea that everyone will be saved. This concept is not true, being denied by the description of the white-throne judgment in the twentieth chapter of the Book of Revelation.

Other times it is advanced by careless Christians who take the attitude that even though they get a smaller mansion in Heaven they still will be saved.

People love to deal! "I can fool around in the present world and still 'make it.' "

This is why we inveigh so strongly against the lawless-grace-rapture-Heaven model of salvation. It is incorrect and leads to destructive conclusions.

To consider being saved as by fire is, first of all, to flirt with the idea that perhaps Christ will decide you are not worthy of the Kingdom and leave you outside the great doors. When you see the massive doors begin to close and have the last glimpse (for eternity) of little children playing before the Lamb, and you are forced to remain in the darkness with people like yourself, no more praying mother or grandmother to cry over you, you will experience an anguish more intense than any known on earth.

Don't be proud, matey, it will happen to some!

If Christ decides to admit you to the Kingdom, and you have lived in the flesh, all you have accomplished plus much or most of your personality will be removed. There will be no reward. You will have to start life again as a small child, being governed by those who were more diligent.

In the Day of Resurrection you may see some of the believers clothed with glory until they are great mountains of fire while you yourself are huddled in a corner experiencing the contempt of those who see you.

Not so?

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2)

To be saved as a naked spirit is not such a dandy idea.

It could never happen to you? Why not? Why are you so special?

There have been (and yet are being) more Christians killed for the Gospel in the present century than in any other of the Christian Era. How does God feel when He looks down on the Peruvian, or African, or Chinese Christian and sees the anguished wife looking at the body of her husband, the Pastor, while you are spending your time on football, golf, vacations, and your stocks and bonds?

Hey, God is speaking to us in America today. We had better hunker down and start serving the Lord like we mean it. What are you called to do? Do you know? Why don't you know? Is it because you have never come before the Lord Jesus and presented your body as a living sacrifice to God?

The party is over in America. A few short years and then the day of reckoning. Get your house in order. Prepare your family to the best of your ability to stand when everything we count on begins to shake.

God has all power. If you want to be a victorious saint you can, by His power. Press forward in the Kingdom of God! If you do not take advantage of the present opportunity you will regret it for a long time.

Only one life you have and it will be over soon. If you miss Christ's will for you, you are going to have a long time to think about it. It's not necessary that you end up in torment so for Heaven's sake and your sake get with it!