Being clean and being holy are two separate matters. The work of Jesus on the cross cleanses us from all sins. That does not make us holy. That makes us clean. Holiness is our responsibility. It is something God wants us to be involved in. The Israelites were charged to live a certain way. They were commanded to sanctify themselves in Leviticus 20:7-8. The same charge were given to believers in 1 Peter 1:15-16. In the context, believers were asked to be holy in their manner of conversation - the way one speaks. In both instances, holiness was not part of the conversion experience. They were both something the people were told to live by. Something they can choose to follow or not to follow. This understanding helps us in our decision making - words we choose to use, the time we choose to spend, the money we choose to part, the music we choose to listen to, movies we choose to watch, and people we choose to fellowship.

May we realize that everything we choose has spiritual significance and hence help us make choices towards holiness before our Heavenly Father.

Ezekiel 22:26