A Christian, to answer a question posed recently by an acquaintance, should look like the best possible version of the particular human he or she happens to be. Grace means two things. It first refers to poise and simplicity in one’s own comportment, and second, to kindness and compassion toward those lacking poise and simplicity in theirs.
If we cannot be flawless, we can at least choose our flaws with care. We should be too forgiving; too generous; too forthright in our own mistakes; too hard-working. We should love too much: they’ll know we are Christians.