The Gospel of Self-Effort

The gospel of self-effort and teeth-gritting has been abolished. We now have come under the strength and effort of the Holy Spirit, who releases our new goodness because it is his own supernatural goodness.

Holiness is not a bearing-down, self-striving drudgery. Rather, it is an "easy yoke" as Jesus calls His life. Holiness becomes "easy" because being yoked to Jesus' goodness is a relief from spiritual pressure to be good.

It is not "easy" in the sense of requiring no action or engagement of our strength. We do engage our heart, soul, mind, and strength as we live from our new goodness.

It's "easy" because goodness can become natural to us over time.

From Recover Your Good Heart by Jim Robbins