Holiness is part of the process

Some people give the impression that we'll never be able to work hard enough to be holy enough. We'll never give up enough things to be holy. At the opposite extreme are those folks who see holiness as entirely passive. God distributes it. He dumps it on you. You enjoy it, take advantage of it, but you're just a passive part of the process.

Let me correct both of these extremes. First of all, we must be holy. Holiness always suggests separateness and difference. God, being holy, is different and separate from all other Gods. And we, as His children, must be separate and different as well.

We must live of ethical integrity and moral excellence . If that were impossible for us, God would never require it for us. But He does.

Second, holiness is not passive. It isn't all up to God. We are active participants in the process. Holiness is part of the process of the will of God for us, His children.