HOLY VS. HOLIER THAN THOU

When walking the life of an immediate-radically obedient Christ follower their are certain non-negotiable elements one of those being Holy as He is Holy (1 Peter 1:15).  The question then is what does 21st century holiness look like versus appearing holier than thou?  Many times because of the "needs" of people, they advance themselves in the world at the expense of righteousness (right living).  Holiness is birthed within the heart of the believer and it is a lifestyle, but holiness also covers one's actions, deeds, and presentation.  Do we all make mistakes?  Absolutely!  Imperfect people make plenty of mistakes, that's not what I am speaking to.  I am talking about loving the world so much until IF God said to leave it or certain aspects of it you would have a hard time and tend to go the other way.  John 2:15-17 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away. and the lust therof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever!"  John is simply talking about the world's system and benefits that are gained from it.  The world rightly expects to find within us, the believer, a standard of holiness and righteousness.  The world cannot see your faith, but it can surely see your presentation.  We as saints are to be a "living sacrifice".  Holiness responds to it's environment and is aware of the environment in which it exists.  The standard then is not what others think of us, even if they do call you "holier than thou".  The standard is the objective word of God, not the subjective feelings or perceptions of what one thinks.  Thank God for all those who do live sacrificially and choose not to dwell among the "stuff" of this world.  There will be a great reward. All those men and women who choose to live and look like godly men and women--GOD BLESS YOU AND PLEASE KEEP THE FAITH!