Lasting result of godly living

But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:10b-14

The Apostle Paul from the text provided a way on how to examine the motivation of every individual on why they do things in life. The standard should be if whether they will last and will have eternal significance. The Bible provides several warnings that individuals can go to the motion and have the appearance of manifesting godly living. Yet once examined closely life does not really reflect an authentic Christian living. This is why it is important to examine how you are living the life of faith and having Christ in one’s life will surely provide an evidence of faithful living. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). The Pharisees during the time of Jesus appeared to be godly but they kept on insisting on keeping their own righteousness rather than accept what God offers. “Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness” (Romans 10:3). Godliness is only through the life of Christ that is in every believer. But it does not manifest itself automatically. You have to desire to be a godly person and let your life lived through the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is only by His leading that you can enjoy what has been entrusted to you. “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us” (2 Timothy 1:14).

Blessings.