Over the years I have treated numerous Christians in my psychiatric practice many of whom are duty-bound.

These duty-bound, white-knuckle Christians focus on earning their way into heaven.

They attend every church service, participate in several Bible studies, sing in the choir, help with youth groups, visit the sick and go on mission trips. They cook, serve and wash dishes at church and pot luck meals. Anything that the church needs done they do it.

After all their duty-bound work they still feel inadequate, frustrated and empty. They may appear happy on the outside, but their hearts are joyless.

Duty-bound Christians miss the basic message of Christianity:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9.

Good works are vital to the Christian life, but Christ-like work is not duty bound. It is joy bound.

When we work for Christ we do not work to earn our way. Instead we work out of gratitude for what God has done for us through Christ Jesus. Christian work comes from and gives joy, peace and love.