Flavor-notes of His Grace

In some of his sweetest-ever tone, Paul, in Philippians 1, writes: "I thank God for you Christians at Philippi whenever I think of you. My constant prayers for you are a real joy, for they bring back to my mind how we have worked together for the Gospel from the earliest days until now. I feel sure that the one who has begun his good work in you will go on developing it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is only natural that I should feel like this about you all—you are very dear to me. For during the time I was in prison as well as when I was out defending and demonstrating the power of the Gospel we shared together the grace of God."

While all of this is so good, there's something about that last sentence that feels over-the-top. The wording "sharing together the grace of God" calls to mind wine connoisseurs remarking over flavor notes as they sample in the grace of Jesus. "Mmmm, can you believe His incalculable riches?" ... "Yes, but how about the glory of His presence; it's available all the time?"

May we become those ones who share together the flavorful, overwhelming vintage of His ever-present abundant grace! May we be less concerned with "defending" our Belief than with "demonstrating" its power by the might of He who lives in us! The power of Jesus is its own best apologetic! His grace is sufficient for you...and all you meet!