1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV), “as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

To be holy is to be dedicated to righteousness, love, and justice. It is godliness. 

Our first step towards holiness is to acknowledge the righteousness of Christ and the merit of his sacrifice to remove sin. The second step is to understand that we can only be made righteous by having faith in Jesus and accepting the merit of that sacrifice. 

If we accept the merit of Christ and let him into our lives, it should prompt us to be obedient to his teaching as well as the teachings He gave through the apostles. The scriptures say, “be not hearers only, but doers,” James 1:22.  

Doing God’s will will lead us to a life of holiness. It will bring about a transformation of our thinking and behavior. Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

This transformation will cause, within ourselves, a constant warfare between our old sinful nature and our newly begotten spiritual nature. It will cause us to love not only our friends but also our enemies. We will desire to do good to all of mankind. Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

We will learn to truly love righteousness and hate iniquity. (Hebrews 1:9)  This holiness in the heart is shown in Revelation 15:3-4 (NLT), “And they (the saints) were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: ‘Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.’”

Holiness becomes the song of our lives as we worship God’s pure and awesome holiness.