Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Peter chapter 1:
14 [Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the Good News regarding salvation].
15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your Godly character and moral courage];
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Hebrews chapter 12:
14 Pursue peace with all people, and Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
And Jesus spoke in John chapter 14:
21 The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] Loves Me; and whoever [really] Loves Me will be Loved by My Father, and I [too] will Love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.] AMPC
There are two types of Holiness: One is positional (legal) and the other is relationship-based.
How are we to pursue Holiness?
James wrote by The Holy Spirit in his epistle, chapter 1:
21 So this is why we abandon everything morally impure and all forms of wicked conduct. Instead, with a sensitive spirit we absorb God’s Word, which has been implanted within our nature, for the Word of Life has power to continually deliver us. TPT
22 Don’t just listen to the Word of Truth and not respond to It, for that is the essence of self-deception. So always let His Word become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life!
We are to be a doer of The Word, not a hearer only! We are commanded to abandon or put away everything that is morally impure as well as wicked conduct.
Television programming has subtly added immoral conduct to its various series. They are attempting to push the world’s values on those who watch their shows. Other media are following suit. The adversary is promoting moral decay at all levels of society, especially the kids. If we are to pursue Holiness, we must separate ourselves from such immorality.
James continues:
1True spirituality that is pure in the Eyes of Our Father God is to make a difference in the lives of the orphans, and widows in their troubles, and to refuse to be corrupted by the world’s values.
Each of us decides what we allow ourselves to be exposed to in our daily lives.
James is addressing his brothers and sisters in Christ in chapter 4:
4 You have become spiritual adulterers who are having an affair, an unholy relationship with the world. Don’t you know that flirting with the world’s values places you at odds with God? Whoever chooses to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy!
5 Does the Scripture mean nothing to you that says, “The Spirit that God breathed into our hearts is a jealous Lover Who intensely desires to have more and more of us”?
6 But HE continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, “God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.”
7 So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony.
8 Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.
9 Feel the pain of your sin, be sorrowful and weep! Let your joking around be turned into mourning and your joy into deep humiliation.
10 Be willing to be made low before the Lord and HE will exalt you!
James provides us with steps to take toward Holiness. As we move closer to Our Heavenly Father, HE will move closer to us in an intimate relationship!