The complete plan of God for mankind is focused on one goal, and that is to create a holy people (1 Peter 2:5, 9). Being holy is not something we can choose, however, since only God can make something holy. His people are holy because God is in their lives and dwells with and within them through Christ (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

Once we have been cleansed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we must not turn back to sin (Hebrews 6:4-6). When people see a member of God’s Church, they are to see the example of God in the life of that person.

If we have filled our minds with good and positive things, we will have pure and uncluttered minds. If we insist on turning to the ways of this world, our minds will become confused and unclear, just as this world reflects that kind of attitude. We have all been brought up with some degree of immersion in the concepts of this world, but Christians are encouraged to come out of that mentality (Romans 12:1-2).

We are unlearning error, identifying the profane and sinful ways that are in us and acquiring the divine nature of God by obeying His instructions about how to live. Change of this magnitude does not happen overnight. It is acquired by a steady movement in the direction of what is good and right as defined by God.

The apostle Paul told Timothy to rebuke those who were sinning so that all could learn the lessons of cleanliness before God (1 Timothy 5:20). Somehow many have come to believe that humans cannot do anything to anger God. They believe the God of the Old Testament was angry and harsh, but the God of the New Testament is kind, merciful and understanding. God truly is kind, merciful and understanding, but He will not tolerate the profane, wicked and unholy in His presence. God maintains His standards of excellence, and we humans are to come to Him. He does not lower the standards to make it easy. God is looking for a complete change in the hearts of mankind. UN