The word "sanctify" means to "set aside" or "set apart." Some form of the word "sanctify" or expressions that mean the same thing appear often the the Bible. Leviticus 20:7 says, "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy." In one of Jesus' prayers (John 17:17), he prayed that his disciples might be sanctified. In Acts 20:32 and Acts 26:18, we learn that the heavenly reward or inheritance is reserved for those who are sanctified. Paul addressed the first Corinthian epistle to the, "church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:2). In Ephesians 5:25-27 we read that Christ gave himself for the church, "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Paul said in Titus 2:14 that Christ, "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." The Hebrew writer said that, "both He who sanctifies (Jesus) and they who are sanctified are all one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews 2:11). The same writer wrote that Jesus sanctified us with His own blood (Hebrews 13:12). Peter captures the idea of sanctification when he wrote, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
All of these passages indicate that the people of God are to be sanctified, called out, or set apart from the world. This is the way it has always been and the way it always will be. Both the individual Christian and the church collectively must exist in the world and function within the community. But something is drastically wrong when supposed or so-called Christians cannot be distinguished from others in the world.
Take, for example, the matter of dress. Christians should be set apart from the world by the way they dress. When we go into a grocery store, shopping mall or some other public place, do we dress in the same tacky fashion that many do? Women wearing short shorts and skimpy clothing in public are asking for trouble, and such is inconsistent with Christianity. Some might argue that only a dirty-minded old man would lust after a woman wearing skimpy clothing. I would remind such people that David was not a dirty-minded old man but a man after God's own heart, yet while walking upon the roof of the king's house, David saw a beautiful woman washing herself and lusted after her (2 Samuel 11:2). David's lust let him still deeper into sin. Christian men as well as Christian women should dress in a way that will bring honor and glory to Christ and His church. I personally applaud establishments with the policy of, "No shoes or shirt - no service." Can you be distinguished from the world by the way you dress?
Christians should be set apart from the world by their speech. Many people seem to think nothing of using certain "four-letter" words or using God's name in an irreverent and unholy manner. However, the Bible admonishes us to be careful in our speech. One of the Ten Commandments was to avoid taking the name of the Lord in vain (Exodus 20:7) and Jesus said, "that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment" (Matthew 12:36). Can you be distinguished from the world on the basis of your speech?
Christians should be separated from the world over the matter of alcohol. The average American consumes some form of alcoholic beverage on a regular basis. Yet in such passages as Proverbs 20:1 and Proverbs 23:29-35, the Word of God warns about alcohol consumption. We learn in 1 Corinthians 6:10 and Galatians 5:21 that drunkards will not be saved. While one may argue that taking an occasional social drink does not mean that the drinker will be come an alcoholic, one thing is sure; if one does not take that first drink, there is no way he will become an alcoholic. All addiction to alcohol began with that first drink. Yes, alcohol consumption is inconsistent with the Christian life, and we as children of God need to stand apart from the world by avoiding alcohol in any form. Can you be distinguished from the world by your avoidance of alcohol and your example of sober living and driving?
We as Christians should stand apart from the world in the way we use the Lord's day. We are commanded not to forsake, "the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is" (Hebrews 10:25). Yet the world as a whole ignores this commandment. So many use the first day of the week to indulge in pleasure. Others are simply negligent in observing the Lord's day as God intended. When so-called Christians fail to attend worship services when they could be present, they are sinning. They are disobeying God, and they are not setting themselves apart from the world. Can you be distinguished from the world by your godly use of the Lord's day?
There are many other ways in which we as soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ need to stand apart from the world. Young people, when you are on a date, do you behave in such a way that the person you are with can tell that you are a Christian? Parents, what kind of example do you set for your children in the selection of entertainment for the family? Do you sit in front of a television set and laugh at dirty, irreverent and ungodly programs, or do you change channels or turn the set off when such programs are aired? Can your children tell that you are set apart from the world by the kind of entertainment you engage in?
Paul said, "And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). James said that a part of, "pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father" is to keep oneself, "unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). John said to, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).
Do you as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ stand apart from the world? Do you honor your Heavenly Father and His precious Son by the kind of life you live? Can the people around you look at you and see the glory of the Father and of Jesus Christ reflected in your life, or do they see just another individual who is no different from the multitudes of other people? Jesus gave Himself for the church in order that He might sanctify or separate it and make it holy. If you do not live in such a way that you stand out from the world, as far as you are concerned, Jesus died in vain.
There are many other ways in which we as soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ need to stand apart from the world. Young people, when you are on a date, do you behave in such a way that the person you are with can tell that you are a Christian? Parents, what kind of example do you set for your children in the selection of entertainment for the family? Do you sit in front of a television set and laugh at dirty, irreverent and ungodly programs, or do you change channels or turn the set off when such programs are aired? Can your children tell that you are set apart from the world by the kind of entertainment you engage in?
Paul said, "And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). James said that a part of, "pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father" is to keep oneself, "unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). John said to, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).
Do you as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ stand apart from the world? Do you honor your Heavenly Father and His precious Son by the kind of life you live? Can the people around you look at you and see the glory of the Father and of Jesus Christ reflected in your life, or do they see just another individual who is no different from the multitudes of other people? Jesus gave Himself for the church in order that He might sanctify or separate it and make it holy. If you do not live in such a way that you stand out from the world, as far as you are concerned, Jesus died in vain.
