[The Spirit says,] “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”   Revelation 2:10

When I was growing up I remember my Grandfather tell about that as a farm boy in South Dakota, he had to milk the cows by hand each day. It didn’t take hium long to appreciate being able to sit on a three-legged stool that provided a firm foundation for his labor.

As Christians, we also need a firm foundation in order to do our daily work for the kingdom of God. This foundation is our Bible-based faith. Three qualities of God make up the three strong legs of my foundation: God is love (1 John 4:8); God is holy (Lev. 11:44), and God is spirit (John 4:24).  If we put our weight upon one attribute of God to the exclusion of the others, we will surely slip and fall. Concentrating on God’s love alone may cause us to lapse into permissive sentimentality. Emphasizing God’s holiness alone may cause us to become rigid, legalistic, and judgmental. Focusing on God’s spirit alone may motivate us for service, but we may easily burn out apart from the underlying support of God’s love and holiness.  Our earthly task lasts until we die. Revelation 2:10 says, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Being supported by God’s love, spirit, and holiness will make this journey possible.

Gracious God, open our hearts each day to your love, spirit, and holiness, that we may be empowered to spread your kingdom everywhere. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.