Examine Yourselves

I Peter 1:15-16: As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Recently, as I look at the concept of being holy, and I couple that command with the words of 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith," I am overwhelmed with a desire to do just that. My prayer today, and hopefully every day from hence forth, is that God will show me any "manner of conversation" in my life that is not holy. I have a strong desire for a deeper understanding of holiness. I know we cannot be seen by God as holy except through the blood of Jesus. I understand that doctrine. But I also see God commanding us to live holy lives. This is not conforming to a set of rules set forth by man, but conforming to the image of Christ. At the risk of using a Christian cliche', I think perhaps asking the question, what would Jesus do, is a pretty good idea! I think holiness encompasses more than my finite mind can comprehend, but in the context of I Peter 1, holiness is generated by strong, holy thinking (verse13), and by abandoning our old lifestyle that did not reflect God (verse 14). It sounds so simple, but how much of what I think, say and do reflect true godliness and how much reflects patterns that have been established from childhood that perhaps are not godly, are unholy? At present, my spiritual quest is focused on this matter of holy living as dictated by God. I believe it will fall somewhere between careful conformation to man's religious rules and regulations and permissiveness in the name of liberty in Christ. I'm not convinced that the practice of true holiness even belongs on the same continuum with the two... God, I pray you would show me my heart as it compares to your standard of holiness.