How to Be Holy in Seven Not-So-Easy Steps.

1.         Go after it. “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrew 12:14). We have to want it. And we must want it badly enough to do whatever it takes to have it.

2.         Claim what God gave you. “Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). God has provided everything we need in order to be holy as He is holy. Don’t let the enemy of your soul tell you that because you are not perfect and you’ve made mistakes that you can’t ever be holy.

3.         Don’t defile your body. “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3:17). We have choices, and we have to make right ones so that we don’t pollute our lives. Value your body, because the Holy Spirit lives there. Value your life because it is God’s instrument to see His purposes fulfilled on earth.

4.         Copy God. “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). Study Him. Be in His presence as much as possible in prayer, praise, and worship. Be fully aware of all His names and attributes so you can better understand all of who He is.

5.         Be loving and merciful. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering’ (Colossians 3:12). If there are any two qualities that would make you more like Christ, they would be to show love and mercy toward others. In every situation ask yourself what is the merciful, kind, humble, gentle, and patient thing to do.

6.         Stay on the path of obedience. “A highway shall be there, and a road and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool shall not go astray” (Isaiah 35:8). The road is narrow and we have to be watchful that we don’t stumble off it. Read God’s Word and asks Him to help you follow it. Communicate with God frequently each day in prayer and praise.

7.         Be like Jesus. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). In Jesus we have the perfect role model. Study Him in the Scriptures. Examine every word He said. Walk with Him. Talk with Him. Let Him live in you and rub off on you.