Holiness is abhorrence of evil with delight in that which is good.
We have three kinds of nature in Scripture. Innocent—this was man before the fall. Fallen—this is man's present condition. Holy—this is the true nature of God.
Holiness is not just separation from evil, but it is the nature of God in the believer that abhors evil-because we are "born of God." (1 John 5:11Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1).) Peter speaks of the family of faith as being partakers of the divine nature, thus escaping the corruption in the world through lust, by the possession of a nature that has God for its object, and lives as one called to God's eternal glory by Christ Jesus (1 Peter 5:1010But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:10)).
All the exhortations in the Word are based on having our lives correspond to what we possess in Christ, not getting the thing by our own efforts.
May we so nourish this new life that we have from God, that practical holiness may characterize our lives to His praise!
WE go to meet the Savior,
His glorious face to see;
What manner of behavior
Doth with this hope agree?
May God's illumination
Guide heart and walk aright,
That so our preparation
Be pleasing in His sight.
We'd gladly while the hours,
Till night shall pass away,
And chant with all our powers
The blessings of that day;
To Thee, the Lord of glory,
We'd raise the happy song,
And make Thy love's bright story
The theme of every tongue.
Not sinful man's endeavor,
Nor any mortal's care,
Could draw Thy sov'reign favor
To sinners in despair;
Uncalled, Thou cam'st with gladness,
Us from the fall to raise,
And change our grief and sadness
To songs of joy and praise.