The Epitome of Grace

What exactly does the phrase "epitome of grace" mean?  A quick Google search yielded this definition:

a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class; embodiment:

The Epitome of Grace in the Royal Kingdom

I thought I would first share a "real-life" example of someone who, in my opinion, was the epitome of grace as the world would probably look at the use of that title...

I think I might be the only person who was taken by surprise that there was a royal wedding in the offing.  I was like, wait, whose getting married??  lol.

I really don't know anything about Meghan Markle, except what I saw when I watched a replay of the royal wedding.

To me, she was the epitome of grace.  Truly amazing to be the sole focus of attention in a very important position both in the moment and historically, yet gliding down the aisle and riding through the streets of Windsor with all the poise and grace of a seasoned royal.   She brought honor to the name she will now carry, Duchess of Sussex.

In researching for this blog post, I discovered that she did indeed have "Princess Training", which includes royal etiquette training in the the Windsor wave, the royal greeting, the Duchess slant (placement of legs when sitting), the Cambridge Cross (again placement of the legs), utilizing utensils, the curtsy and tea time.

Training or not, I feel as though Duchess Meghan passed with flying colors!

The Epitome of Grace in God's Kingdom

So... are we the epitome of Grace as servants of God?  Do we "possess, to a high degree, the features of a whole class; embodiment" daughters of the King of Kings and  Lord of Lords?

Do "not receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,

    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,  beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;  by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;

2 Corinthians 6:1a-2;4-7

When I think of the great sacrifice the Lord Jesus made on the cross for me and for you - His blood which poured out Grace upon Grace - I ask myself, do I waste this Grace and/or receive it in vain?

We waste the Grace of God when we spend our lives worrying or being afraid. 

Worrying about the past, the present and the future.  Worrying about our marriages, our kids, our jobs, our parents.  Worrying about money, our homes, our cars, etc., etc.,

Afraid to step out in Faith for the Lord Jesus; afraid to serve in an area outside our comfort zone; afraid to serve at all...

{In my blog post, The Antidote for Feeling Like a Failure, which you can read HERE,  I shared the true definition of Grace and how to practically receive and give grace.}

Once we understand and apply the true definition of God's grace, there is no reason to worry or be afraid because God's unmerited favor is upon us.

The Epitome of Grace in Affliction

The Apostle Paul teaches us that when we receive the Grace of God as He intended it, we, as servants of God, commend ourselves in every way, by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, sleepless nights, and hunger...

The Google definition of endurance defines it as follows:

the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way

The Apostle Paul is saying no matter what unpleasant or difficult circumstance we are going through, we should do so without giving way, for in so doing, non-Believers will look at us and marvel and say, she is the epitome of God's Grace which will ultimately bring Glory to God.

There are those I'm sure we all have come in contact with that are the epitome of God's Grace in their daily lives.  Those soft spoken, humble, sweet servants of the Lord who emulate the Apostle Paul's list of examples through purity, knowledge, kindness, genuine love, truthful speech where the Holy Spirit shines forth and the power of God is evident.

However, that is the key.  For it is not in our own power that we exhibit the characteristics of Grace.  If that were the case, we have received the Grace of God in vain by operating in our own strength rather than in the Grace-filled strength of the Holy Spirit.  God is not glorified when we are doing things for our own name's sake.

Our Weapons of Righteousness are only received through the Grace of God by the power of the Holy Spirit - the weapons of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - all empower us to live a life that is pleasing to God by thwarting Satan's fiery darts and by saying to the world God's Grace is sufficient for me.

We are all "Princess's in Training" for our Great God and King, Christ Jesus!  May the Word of the Lord train us in all Righteousness so that the world will see that we are epitome's of God's Grace who bring honor and Glory to God the Father.

For similar posts, click on the following:

Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge - REASSESSMENT

The Untapped Fount of Grace and Mercy

Giving Yourself Grace - A Biblical Perspective

Am I Good Enough for God?

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