I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
(Rom.12:1 NKJV)

Holiness in the highest sense belongs to God. See Is.6:3 where angelic being – seraphim cried to one another and said:

*Holy, holy is the Lord of host.* see also, Rev.15:4
Holiness is also required of a Christian as he is consecrated to God’s service, he is expected to be conformed in all things to the will of God.
See Rom.6:22.

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
Eph.1:4.

The Greek word translated holy in Rom.12:1 is *hagios.*
Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says, the word is used in *reference to men and things in as much as they are devoted to God.*

It further says,
“it involves Divine demands upon the conduct of believers.”

*Holiness is a gift from God*, but it is the choice we make to conform to the image of Christ who called us,

our personal holiness is a *work of gradual development*, it is cultivated in place of service and worship to God.

*God supplies the grace for Our holiness,* while we supply the *submission and obedience to the Word of God*, which results in our holiness.

Because holiness is a choice it is carried on *under many demonic attacks and hindrances,* hence frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance.

As Christians Paul admonitions is;

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that you  put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Righteousness is a result of the act of God, while holiness is a result of the acts of men by their own free will.

These two attributes defines the character of God, by adoption it is expected to be ours , as we manifest it in our daily conducts in this world.

I pray the righteousness and holiness of God be what defines our lives.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.