The meaning of the root word "holy" means to be separated or withdrawn from that which is common or unclean, and consecrated to what is sacred and pure.

God alone is pure and holy. He is perfect; man is imperfect. God is divine; man is human. He is morally perfect; man is sinful. God abhors that which is evil. It is easy to understand that He cannot tolerate sin of any kind. To Him it is vile and detestable. Therefore, it is evident that man must become holy in order to attain fellowship with God. Holiness is a condition of the heart. It is a sum total of our attitudes and consecrations toward God. Therefore we must manifest Christ-like attitudes.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart. . . ." Are our hearts really pure? Are our motives pure? Why do we do the things we do? What motivates us? Are our talents separated and dedicated to the service of God? Can He really use us?

Only those who are holy and sanctified shall be able to see Jesus and enter His kingdom. On that day, He will present to Himself a Church, ". . . a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27)

To sanctify means to separate from evil and dedicate exclusively to the service if God. Man's part is to bring himself to the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost and allow God to work His will. Sinful man is wholly incapable of making himself holy. This is the work of the Holy One.

There is nothing man can do to merit sanctification. All his righteousness would be as filthy rags. But thank God, we have a Holy One who is happy to sanctify and cleanse us!

The process of sanctification begins the moment a person hears or reads the gospel message, for the Word of God has a cleansing influence in the heart of the hearer. "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3) "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17) There is a definite power in God's Word to convict sinners of their sins and reveal to them their need of a close walk with God, a sanctification, and deeper consecration.

It is the responsibility of every God-fearing child of God to see to it that he keeps himself under the influence of the sanctifying power of God by repentance, surrender of his will to God's will, consecration, dedication, complete separation from the world, faith, and obedience.

None of us was born perfect. The very fact that Peter exhorted the saints to ". . . grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord. . .," proves to us that sanctification is a progressive process in our lives. (Peter 3:18) The Christian who is filled with the Spirit, walks after the Spirit, and is led by the Spirit will live a holy life, one that is dedicated and consecrated to the will of God. He will live a life above sin, and will feel no condemnation.

There are many advantages and rewards of holy living. The Christian enjoys greater peace of mind and heart. He enjoys happiness. His life is more fruitful and satisfying, for he lives a life of service to God and others.

Are there any secrets to successful holy living? Indeed, there are! Following are only a few: