He drew us to Christ to sanctify us so we would obtain the glory of God. He didn't force salvation upon us. He didn't shove it down our throats. Maybe we didn't understand the ramifications of salvation at the time, that inherent in our response to the gospel was the pure, holy call of God, not only to be saved and set apart, but to walk holy with a view to a holy eternity with Him. Knowing what the Scriptures say, it ought to be a cry from our depths.
Salvation is a holy thing and holiness comes with it.
Our first and foremost reason for wanting to be holy should be because it is the Father's will for us. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.