I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4

But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible]. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Galatians 6:4-5

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. And take care of yourself, that you present yourself perfectly before God, a laborer without shame, who preaches the word of truth straightforwardly.

2 Timothy 2:15

For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is blind—shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]; And so a triumphant admission into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be freely granted to you.

2 Peter 1:5-11

The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out - but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

1 John 2:17 MSG

Verse 17 concludes John's condemnation of worldly thinking. John notes that this world is temporary. The world is temporary for each person, since every person dies. The physical earth is also temporary, since God will make a new earth in the end (Revelation 21—22). As a result, the desires of this world are also temporary. Believers are to resist evil desires, following the example of Jesus (Matthew 4:1–11).

This is the only place where the apostle John mentions the "will of God." However, this phrase has a rich usage in the New Testament. Jesus stated, "For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:35). Romans 8:27 notes, "the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 12:2 adds, "be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God." Doing God's will or desires is to be the goal of the believer.

Doing God's will cannot save us, of course—no good works can overcome our sin. We are saved by Christ's sacrifice, when we put our trusting faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8–9). However, a natural outcome of salvation is a desire to do God's will (Ephesians 2:10). This is a hallmark of the believer, and only the believer will live with God forever. More immediately, John is explaining that a life lived in fellowship with God will go on forever, while earthly things will someday be gone.

Man’s viewpoint of the world is very different from God’s perspective. Man likes to think that everything is going to continue on as it has in bygone days, but God has purposed that the world, with all it passions and lusts, is passing away and will one day be folded up like a blanket.

This present world system, with its fleshly desires and materialistic vices, is fading away, and we should live our lives keeping this truth in mind. We should not cling to the transient things of life. We should hold to the things of this world lightly, and yet the main ideology of the natural man is that things will continue on in the same seasonal cycle - that things will continue on as they have always been, from the beginning of the creation.

The world is, indeed, passing away and the seasonal fading and falling leaves, which are replaced when new-growth springs up, is a perpetual reminder that the heaven and earth is finite and the world in which we live will one day be replaced with a new heaven and a new earth. How important to keep this as our primary viewpoint.

The vain pursuits of this world and the deceptive pleasures of the life we once 'enjoyed' will perish in our memories with the ever-increasing march of time, as we discover them to be passing vanities. Solomon in all his glory and with all his riches realised this important truth when he cried, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" as he tried to discover the meaning of life amidst the many human experiences and endeavours.

Solomon realised that when life is confined to the boundary of this present world system it is futile, for this world is passing away - it is fading fast, while the one who does the will of God will be fulfilled in this life (for His grace is sufficient) and will live forever in the eternal ages to come.

There is a great contrast between the two statements in this verse from 1 John. The person who does the will of God will abide forever, while the one who does not do the will of God, by hankering after the transitory things of this fleeting world which are here today but tomorrow are thrown into the fire, will suffer eternal loss - loss of their life for the unbeliever and loss of their reward for the carnal Christian.

The fear of the Lord and reverence for His name is the beginning of wisdom. How important, therefore, to invest our lives wisely in this world and to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose!" were the words of a young missionary who gave his life in service to God. How foolish, therefore, to go against God's will for our lives, in order to hold on to the fading things of this fleeting world system that are to transitory in nature, rather than doing God's will by holding fast to the truth of His Word and looking for our blessed hope and life everlasting.

The riches and poverty, pleasures and passion, beauty and bitterness, fame and shame of this perishing world are short-lived, but the things of the Lord are permanent, pure, good, secure, and of everlasting value. The lusts of the flesh and the pride of life are futile and false, but the things of God are eternal and will last forever. His love will never fail, His promises are everlasting, and His truth will endure throughout all generations.

Let us beware - for the passing cravings of this life can subtly allure us away from God’s permanent path of purity and His secure way of wisdom. Rather, let us set out hearts on the things of God, for the one that looks away from the world to Jesus will never be disappointed.