1. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV)
  2. Application

Sanctified for the purpose of God

1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV)

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

When a vessel, cup, altar, or instrument was set apart for divine worship, it was never used for common purposes again. No man but the priest might drink out of the golden cup. The altar might not be trifled with. God’s brazen laver was not for ordinary washing. Even the tongs upon the altar and the snuffers for the lamps were never to be profaned for any common purpose whatsoever. What a suggestive and solemn fact is this! If you and I are sanctified by God the Father, we ought never to be used for any purpose but for God. What? you say, Not for ourselves? My brothers and sisters, not for ourselves. You are not your own; you are bought with a price. But must we not work and earn our own bread? Verily, you must, but still not with that as your objective. You must still be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.1

Charles H. Spurgeon