Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11::1

When I read Paul’s confident challenge to the people who observed his life, I am frankly amazed because inevitably someone will look to find fault. I’m sure Paul had his moments, but he also possessed a single-mindedness of pursuit of a single goal – Christ (Philippians 3).

The process of sanctification is gradual. Not one of us has achieved the goal, but every one of us should be headed in the right direction. Paul indicated our participation in his letter to the Romans –

 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

Romans 6:19

But, just as we are unable to save ourselves, we are not able to become the sanctified or holy people God commands on our own. Consider this passage from Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica –

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

It is the work of the Spirit of God separating the believer from sin, and it is a process that goes on all our lifelong. Here’s a helpful quote from John MacArthur –