Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

Reflections Maxie Dunnam The Pinecone | September 2022 • 9 • September Vesper Services | 6:30pm | Performing Arts Center September 29 Rev Dorothy Wells Sanders St. George's Episcopal September 8 Brian Stewart Head Coach Briarcrest G-town Church of Christ September 15 Rev Dr Birgitte French Colonial Park United Methodist Church September 22 To Be Announced September 1 Pastor Don Marston Forest Hill Baptist Church It is no happenstance that Paul wrote the largest portion of the New Testament. I am convinced that he is the person who knew Christ best. Believing that, our potential for knowing Christ is enhanced. Like us, Paul did not know Jesus in the flesh. With a note of sadness, he referred to himself as “one untimely born.” His was an experience of faith, as ours must be. Yet there is no doubt about it - Paul knew Christ, and we can know him as well.  It’s all a matter of grace. Grace is the heart-core of the Gospel. Paul is rather dogmatic in stating that: “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” (Eph. 2:8) In his gospel, John states it more expansively, identifying grace with who Jesus is. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth….. From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” (John 1:14,16 NIV) Even a bit of reflection on these three verses of Scripture makes it obvious that grace is important. In our understanding and living the Christian faith nothing is more important. It’s all grace! By The Apostle Paul, c. 1657, Rembrandt