Romans 12:1, Defining Christian Consecration
The consecrated life that is acceptable to God is characterised by holiness. The word “holy” means “set apart, sanctified, consecrated.” The root word means “chaste, pure.” Its fundamental idea is separation, consecration, devotion to the service of God through Jesus Christ. It means sharing in God’s purity and abstaining from earth’s defilement. It is made possible by the God, the Father of mercies (2 Cor. 1:3) who showed compassion or pity for the suffering sinner. The believer can depend upon God’s mercies as they make their bodies a living offering to Him. [The Complete Word Study Bible Dictionary, Spiros Zodhiates]
Solomon defined holiness as the defining character of believers that God pronounced as good in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.