Living a holy life means to live a life of discipline, focus, and attention in promoting righteous living. Total holiness means one set apart to God.

The goal of living a holy life is to do what is right in God’s sight. The Prophet Haggai offered some insight into holiness versus unholiness.

If one of you is carrying some meat from a holy sacrifice in his robes and his robe happens to brush against some bread or stew, wine or olive oil, or any other kind of food, will it also become holy?'” The priests replied, “No.” Haggai 2:12

With that statement, we can conclude that holiness can’t be transferred. The prophet went on to ask a second question.

Then Haggai asked, “If someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then touches any of these foods, will the food be defiled?” And the priests answered, “Yes.” Haggai 2:13

With their answer to that question, we can conclude that unholiness is transferrable. Haggai proved that point in the next verse.

Then Haggai responded, “That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the Lord. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin. Haggai 2:14

Taking that thought a little further, another word for unholiness is sin. And according to Haggai, sin defiles anything we try to offer to God.

Steps to Live a Holy Life

Fortunately, unholiness or sin doesn’t need to be our last word. Peter laid out for us in his first epistle steps we can follow to live a life of holiness. 

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 Peter 1:13

To prepare our minds means making conscious choices to serve God in all we do. And because of the defiling power of sin, Peter says we must use self-control.

He also reminded us that Jesus, who forgives us of our defiling sin will come back again. Therefore, we should live each day of our lives with the hope of His return. 

So why do we need a prepared mind, self-control, and all of our hope in His return? Because they serve as the prerequisite for the next step.

So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 1 Peter 1:14

Before Peter received the fullness of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, he understood what it meant to slip back. After denying Jesus 3 times, he was ready to return to his old life.

But Jesus redeemed him and personally confirmed his calling. To live a holy life means living as obedient children to God. Because you, too, are personally redeemed by Christ.

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 1 Peter 1:15  

What Living a Holy Life Looks Like

As we continue reading 1 Peter, we get a glimpse of what it looks like to live a holy life.

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 1 Peter 1:22

Jesus combined all of the laws of the Old Covenant into these two statements. You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.