Where is the power and freedom that are to exemplify the Christ follower? I have asked this question for a couple years now, and the below is one aspect that I have come to believe as truth:
"True obedience to God is not gritting our teeth and "doing the right thing"; it is cooperating with the breaking forth of Christ's life from within." The desire to obey has been placed within us by Him from the moment of coversion, we are no longer the same. "Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new." God says of those who will take Christ as their rescuer "I will put My law in their minds...and I will be their God...I will forgive their iniquity"; I will cleanse you...I will give you a new heart...I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes." Notice that the effort is of God, these things are already done from the moment of belief.

"Within every believer, the desire to do the will of God is the gift of God." Dwight Edwards