We know that God is holy:
“And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.””
Isaiah 6:3
And, we know that He expects us to be as holy in the same manner that He is holy:
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””
1 Peter 1:14–16
However, what does holiness look like? Many would say that holiness is sinning less. Others might say that holiness is speaking in tongues. Most would have to admit, however, that holiness is elusive and almost abstract as a concept. But that does not have to be so.
Come, let’s reason together. God is holy, right? Right. Therefore, God at His very nature is holy, right? Right. Therefore, whatever God does, He does in holiness, right? Right. Further, when He saves an individual, He saves them to share in His holiness, right? Right. So, then, it would seem to me that being holy is not a negative, “Don’t sin anymore,” but a postitive, “Walk and talk like God.” Here is a passage of Scripture that summarizes what I mean:
“The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” (emphasis mine)
1 John 2:4–6
Did you notice that last sentence? The person who affirms their Christianity is obligated to “walk” in the same manner as He “walked.” In other words, the way Jesus lived, as recorded in Scripture, is the way that a Christian is supposed to live. And, since Jesus is God, my assumption, then, is that the result of walking as He walked is that you will walk in the holiness that God desires, loves, and expects.
So, study His life. Study His teaching. Believe Him. Submit to Him faithfully until He returns for you. He is our life in every way. And the fruit of that submission of faith will be what Paul recorded as the “fruit of the Spirit:”
“…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22–23
THIS is holiness.
Sketches of Scripture 