The definition we will use for purposes of this article is written by W.E. Vines, who defines sanctification as “set apart for God’s exclusive purpose.”  

To illustrate, let’s suppose that a man found a mug while walking around in the garbage dump.  He wipes the thick mud away from it to discover that it may have potential for his use.  As he rubs off more debris and dirt, he places his big fingers in its holder to discover the feel and fit are perfect.  Taking it back to the house with a smile,  he prepares hot soapy water and begins to scrub away the scum until all the impurities are removed.  He then rinses it with hot water, dries it and lays it on the shelf near the coffee.  The next morning, he proudly announces his discovery to the family and that this coffee mug is his.  No one dare use it because it is dad’s favored mug and to use it for any other purpose would be unthinkable.  This mug is “sanctified” for the father’s use and purpose. 

Similarly, God has prepared His people to be used for His purpose and His purpose only.  He is a jealous God and would not be pleased when His vessels are defiled by some unauthorized purpose or person.  For this reason, the Christian cannot love God and the world (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15).  Our bodies are not our own because we were bought (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  Romans 6:19 reads, “… for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification.”  Compare also 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7:  “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication;  that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.”

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:21, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.   Once purged by the blood of Jesus, the Christian has no right to do as he/she, chooses.  Such ones are the Lords, cleaned, chosen for a purpose and set apart for that purpose.  We do not honor God by worshipping him any way we choose to do it.  Too many are living under the false notion that as long as God is the object of our worship, we can worship any way we choose.   This is presumptuous and a dishonor to the one who not only has all authority, but has revealed His will unto His holy apostles and prophets through the word (Eph. 3:1-3). 

Peter teaches that we may sanctify in our hearts Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15).   He is Lord whether or not  you choose to follow his directives.  He can be your Lord when you sanctify him as such; that is, when you set Him apart as the ruler of your heart and the king of your life.