Holy Spirit and Holiness
Analogy★★★★John Ruskin writes concerning art: “Is not the evidence of ease on the very front of all the greatest works in existence? Do they not say plainly to us, not ‘There has been a great effort here,’ but ‘There has been a great power here’?” This is equally true in relation to surpassing Christian character. The completest and purest life is not the result of irksome effort, but an expression of power; they who charm us most are not those who show signs of tension, but those on whose “very front” is the evidence of ease. Strong motive, a firm faith, warm affection, the full assurance of hope exclude morbid strenuousness, and make ideal saints.
The point
John Ruskin notes that great art shows ease rather than effort, and the same is true of Christian character—the purest lives flow from inner power, not strained striving.