“It really should be one of the categories,” she laughed, “one for boys and one for girls. Yes!” The snickering group of teenagers was creating senior superlatives, that section of the yearbook where seniors vote on the classmate they think is most likely to succeed, or most talkative, or most likely to play in the NBA. “Glowed Up Most would be the category,” she continued, “I know which guy I’m voting for!”
We don’t think about glowing up in biblical terms, but we should. In fact, the Apostle Paul does in 2 Corinthians 3:18. He tells believers that those who see, know, and understand who God is, those of us who have experienced the depth of his love, are naturally glowing up every day. Paul puts it this way; “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Spiritually glowing up is another way to describe sanctification, the ongoing transformational process work that takes place in the lives of believers. Ongoing is the right word. That work will not finish until we glow up in the presence of Jesus himself, when we see Him face to face. Work is also an apt term, because sanctification takes time and effort, even though the power behind this transformational process is not our own.
This is an area of theology many of us struggle with. Two things happen to us at the point of our salvation; two vital things that change the trajectory of our life. The Church (universal) faithfully teaches about the first thing, which is that our sins are covered by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and completely forgiven. Scripture clearly states that God, in His divinity, chooses to remember them no more. In fact, they are removed from his consciousness--removed at great distance; “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”(Psalm 103:12).
The second monumental occurrence that takes place at the foot of the Cross, at the point of our salvation, is that we are imputed with the righteousness of Christ. Many Christians don’t understand this second step, and many churches overlook it. New Christians often believe the struggle to become more like Christ rests squarely on their shoulders. That is not true. Paul describes imputation like this, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”(2 Corinthians 5:21). This truth powers our ability to spiritually glow up.The internal force of God in us, through His Holy Spirit, leads the work.
Imputation means the righteousness of Christ was not only given to us, but pressed into us, at the point of our salvation. The visual that best describes imputation to me involves those huge hypodermic needles people use to prepare turkeys before frying them. Massive needles are filled with marinade and inserted. Then marinade is pushed into the very fiber of the turkey’s flesh, soaking it throughout. The Holy Spirit pushes into our flesh at the point of our salvation too, giving us absolutely all we need to grow into God’s plan for our lives. We already have all we need to glow up.
Yet, like misers with money in the bank they never use, many of us never access this wealth. We never use it to God’s glory. Hoarding the Holy Spirit doesn’t bear witness to the transformational power of the Gospel before a waiting world. It doesn’t draw others to Christ. Actually, it does the opposite. Sharing leads our shaping. As we share from the bounty we’ve been given, we’re shaped by that bounty. We learn to depend on Christ when we choose to depend on him. Learned dependence makes us more like Him.
How do you know if you are using the imputed righteousness of Christ you’ve been given? Here are some telltale signs:
Your words to others, especially those you struggle with or in situations that test your patience and mettle, are well chosen. Overcoming evil with good is a basic Christian concept, which materializes in action.
In stressful situations, you learn to empathize with others. Empathy shapes how you respond. If your response is not shaped that way, you are quickly convicted to seek forgiveness from the Lord and those you offended.
You learn to recognize that despite your past experiences, pain, struggles, or triumphs, life is not about you. You understand you are not the center of the universe, and whatever draws you to think you are is not good for your personal growth. You are not designed to be personally fascinating. You are designed, in Christ, to be salt and light–flavorful and illuminating. You are not called to be the full focal point of every situation. What you want and what works for you is not the most important part of the equation.
Humility begins to come more naturally. You have a sense the Holy Spirit is working on your pride. This process will be ongoing, because pride is a stronghold of our flesh. But you are cognizant of the battle, and putting in the effort to fight it.
Using our imputed righteousness of Christ to live the life we’ve been called to is vital to change. This power source fuels our sanctification. Striving is not the name of the game of our lives. Instead, that game is growing and glowing, in ever-increasing dependence on Christ in us, who is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).
Comments