Yes and no. We may approach it from different angles, but the process leads to the same progressive steps or elements: humility, dying unto oneself, repentance, forsaking the world, becoming Christ-like in your heart.
The intent is what matters. It can't be a life-long process because some have shorter lives then other. Becoming Chirst-like in your heart is the key. It's the Beatitudes. A person who is Christ-like in his heart will do Christ-like things, if he has a chance.
It is important to honestly try even if you honestly fail. The intent is what matters.
A man who is Christ-like in his heart is a restored man. A restored man is a saved man.
St. Symeon the new Theologian, put it simply: "I therefore, as you see, did not fast, I did not keep vigil, nor did I sleep on the ground, yet I humbled myself and Lord saved me." ["On Faith"]
There is no way to quantify that if I am tested more than the next guy, that therefore I am more sanctified than him.
The early Church certainly treated those who were martyred as having been sanctified more than others.
If one's goal is to ALWAYS become more and more Christ-like, then it is a life-long process. We never run out of opportunity to improve in that area until we become equal with Christ, an impossibility.
St. Symeon the new Theologian, put it simply: "I therefore, as you see, did not fast, I did not keep vigil, nor did I sleep on the ground, yet I humbled myself and Lord saved me." ["On Faith"]
Something has always confused me about that quote. Isn't fasting the essence of making oneself humble? If so, then this appears to contradict.
The early Church certainly treated those who were martyred as having been sanctified more than others.
That's not an unreasonable inference, since there is evidence that they were willing to take the risk of having something happen to them. That willingness is a good indicator of strong faith.