Aren’t you happy when driving down the highway and you are able to keep the car out of either ditch? Sort of makes your day, doesn’t it? Might you reply, “Actually, if that was my only goal, I’m still at great risk from oncoming traffic if I’m weaving back and forth across the whole road.” Oh, I get it, but then why do so many believers seem to steer their walk with Christ with the goal of “staying out of either ditch, spiritually?” Meaning, they want to avoid being seen as making horrible sinful choices and yet not be viewed as too holy? 

That isn’t consistent with “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). 

However, holiness is not a bunch of checkboxes, if I don’t do this I’m holy. Yes, it does involve what I do and don’t do, but what am I bringing into my mind? What delights my soul? “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).