1corinthians 3:10-15 10] We see that we must have a firm and secure foundation built on Christ alone by grace through faith. This is salvation of the spirit, justification, born again.
Now Paul goes on to talk about what is laid on that foundation. this is the sanctifying of the soul. Spirit being nature, which the true believer now has a divine nature, soul being charactor which is my mind will and emotions. In spirit we have been made kings, in our soul we have been made priest. In spirit, and as a king, I have been adopted into the royal family as a joint heir with Christ [Romans 8:14-17]. In my soul, and as a priest, I have been given the commission to serve others, and spread the good news of Christ.
How we build upon the foundation of our kingship, is in the realm of our preisthood. To live a life of selfishness is wood hay and stubble. to live a life foundationaly secure in Christ, and because of that security, a life dedicated to others, in the cause of kingdom expression, is gold, silver, and precious jewels.
The works of selfish motovation are burned, and we suffer their loss. When we understand that our purpose in earth, is to serve our fellow human beings, in our preistly commision with Christ, that work of co-laboring with Jesus will stand the test of Fire. The purposes of God were laid out for me before the foundation of the earth. As we labor to rest in the completed work of Christ, and renew our minds to this spiritual reality, the works of God will be super naturally released through our lives. For it is God who works in us, the will and the to do of His good pleasure.
15] We can see that the loss of works, is not the loss of salvation of the spirit. My salvation is not based on my works, rather my works are based on the foundation of my salvation , that is secure in the completed work of Christ. Salvation of the soul, or sanctification, is not based upon my desire to be a "better person". as we follow the example of Christ we... John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. The renewing of our minds, and the over comming of sin in our lives, is a selfless act born of a Godly desire to see lost humanity restored into a proper loving relationship to their Creator, by grace through faith.