Not all of God’s judgements are bad. This is a good one. It is the a judgement for God’s children only, where no punishment will be delivered, but rewards for good stewardship will be given.
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”
1 CORINTIANS 3:13 (KJV, HOLY BIBLE)
We cannot earn our salvation – that was done on the cross by Christ. But we are responsible for what we do with our salvation. How we spend our lives here does make a difference to our eternity. Our works does not earn us salvation, but it will be tested. This is a scary thought. But remember that God knows you inside out. If you turned to Christ late in life, or only realized what leading a life in gratitude to Christ really means later on, don’t despair. The Bible says that some who were first will be last. And some who were last, first.
“But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”
MATTHEW 19:30 (KJV, HOLY BIBLE)
Instead, take caution to not revert to a works-for-salvation type of mentality. God owes us nothing. No matter how many good works we do. Focus on your relationship with Him and allow His Spirit to guide you every day. Trust that He is good, but take care not to be complacent. Again, your salvation is not at stake, but knowing that God does expect us to live lives that glorify Him and will ask an account of this, does make you think a bit differently about what you value in life.