In Christian theology there are several terms used to describe what happens as a person first becomes a believer and to describe what happens subsequent to that event. A range of views attempt to closely define the role of God and the role of the believer in this. How much or to what degree is everything dependent on God's action. How much and to what degree is salvation dependent on the words and actions of the believer?
The elements that surround the process of becoming a believer are in general called justification in theological discussions.
The elements that comprise what follows justification are termed sanctification. To sanctify means to become holy or to become separate. Unholy becomes holy. Impure becomes pure. Dirty becomes clean, etc.
It is clear that some people speak and act differently after becoming a believer. What is the relationship between what God does and what the believer does after becoming a believer? Is what God does in any way dependent on the words or actions of the believer?
To deny that sanctification depends in any way on the words and actions of the believer is called double predestination. This is closely associated with ideas of Total Depravity and Reformed Theology. In this view the believer has no role in the salvation process because it is all about God's working in the believer.
To say the role of the believer is to believe and all subsequent growth or improvement in behavior is the responsibility of God, literally God's grace, is called Semi-Pelagianism.
Most Christian denominations teach that there is some form of cooperation between God and the believer throughout the life of the believer. This includes Catholics, Protestants, Anglicans and Eastern Orthodox, at least mostly.
The Bible consistently instructs or commands that the reader exercise free will and decide or act in certain ways. That much is clear and simple. It is God's gracious action to give us power to obey. Praise God for that!
My view is along these lines. God is all powerful and all wise. God has provided knowledge and understanding concerning His plan. God provides power and strength to follow and obey His plan. Our responsibility includes listening and reading to gain knowledge of God's plan. It is our responsibility to apply ourselves to understand the plan and follow the plan. God offers to help us and give us the ability to understand and follow the plan. Part of God's plan is for us to ask for God's guidance and strength to understand and follow through in following God's plan.
What SDAs Believe about Growing in Christ
Christian Perfection (Wikipedia)