A’Brakel writes:
However, since all that glitters is not gold, everything that has the appearance of holiness and is called holiness is not holiness … There are three requisites for holiness:
(1) it proceeds from a good root: faith;
(2) it functions according to a good rule: the will of God as revealed in the law; and
(3) it has a good objective: the honor of God.
First, all that is worthy of being called holiness must proceed from a holy principle. Faith is the primary element of conversion as far as order is concerned. This faith unites a person with Christ who is our life. It does not only make us a partaker of His benefits, but first and foremost, of the Person Himself. … [Faith] actuality, unites the soul with Christ, and thus life and strength flow out of Him into the soul …
Secondly, to holiness belongs a good rule with which the disposition of the heart and one‘s deeds must agree. This is nothing but the will of God alone, as presented in the law of the ten commandments.
Thirdly, to holiness belongs a holy objective. [i.e. the glorification of God]
Andrew Groves 