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HOLY
The theme of sanctification, or growing into God's likeness and being consecrated for His use, is prominent throughout the Bible. Like Jesus, the apostles taught that sanctification, or true holiness, expressed itself in patient and loving service while awaiting the Lord's return. Peter urged the suffering Christians of the Roman Empire to follow God's example of holiness in their trials: "As He who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct" <1 Pet. 1:15>.
Paul's prayer for the saints at Thessalonica is timeless in its application to the church and individual believers: "And may the Lord make you increase in love and abound in love... so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints" <1 Thes. 3:12-13>.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)