“but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
Listen to the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach.
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”
1 Timothy 4:1-12, 14 KJV
Godliness will bring reproach because we trust in the living God. We by faith, the power of the Holy Spirit God puts in us—live godliness, if we are truly believers, if we are truly by faith one hundred surrendered of self-will to the will of God (by faith self is dying daily). We are God’s witnesses: So, we by faith live the example of God before all they about, around, before us. We are God’s witnesses that He has done this good work in us. God builds up the waste places; God plants that which was desolate and it springs up and is a green tree—living righteousness by faith that God gives and increases—We know that godliness, holiness, righteousness is Christ in us through His Holy Spirit and not we ourselves because we can do nothing without God.
Living righteousness by faith does bring reproach and sufferings and persecution. God says it’s better it come for righteousness rather than for unrighteousness.
“having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”
1 Peter 3:16-17 KJV
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10 KJV