Have you ever looked back at an old photo of yourself and barely recognized the person staring back at you? That’s the power of transformation – a concept that goes far beyond physical appearance when we consider our spiritual lives. Just as we can experience a “glow up” in our outward appearance, the resurrection power of Jesus offers us an opportunity for a profound inner transformation that can make us unrecognizable compared to our former selves.
The concept of spiritual transformation is beautifully captured in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” This verse encapsulates the essence of what it means to experience a spiritual glow up – a complete renewal that touches every aspect of our being.
But what does this transformation look like in practice? Let’s explore three key areas where the resurrection power can radically change us:
Identity Glow Up
Our identity is often shaped by labels the world gives us or by our past experiences. However, when we embrace the resurrection power of Jesus, we’re called to shed these old identities and embrace our new identity in Christ. We are no longer defined by our failures, our past, or what others say about us. Instead, we become children of God, sealed by the Holy Spirit and put on a mission for Jesus.
Consider the story of Peter in the Bible. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter was known as the denier – the disciple who swore he’d never betray Jesus but ended up denying him three times. Yet, after the resurrection, Jesus didn’t dwell on Peter’s past failure. Instead, He gave Peter the opportunity to affirm his love three times, matching the number of his denials. Peter’s identity was transformed from a denier to a discipler, showcasing the power of resurrection to make us unrecognizable from our former selves.
Heart Glow Up
The resurrection power doesn’t just save our souls – it’s meant to transform our entire being, including our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Our hearts are the wellspring of our actions, thoughts, and words. As such, allowing the resurrection power to work in our hearts is crucial for genuine transformation.
This heart transformation isn’t passive – it requires our active participation. Ephesians 4:22-24 calls us to “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life,” and instead, “let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” This renewal process affects everything from our speech to our thought patterns.
When the resurrection power is at work in our hearts, we begin to notice a spiritual filter developing. We might find ourselves in the middle of gossip or slander and suddenly feel the Holy Spirit nudging us to step away. Our minds start to shift focus from temporary, worldly concerns to eternal matters. We become more intentional about guarding our hearts, carefully considering what we watch, listen to, and engage with.
Love Glow Up
Perhaps the most profound area of transformation is in our capacity to love. The wonder of the resurrection story lies not just in the forgiveness of our sins, but in the empowerment it gives us to become more like Christ in our love for others.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 expresses this beautifully: “And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow.” Notice the challenging aspect here – we’re called to love not just those easy to love, but all people. This includes those who have hurt us, those who think differently from us, and even those we might consider enemies.
This kind of love is supernatural. It’s a love that can only come from allowing the resurrection power to work deeply within us. It’s a love that forgives, seeks reconciliation, and perseveres even in the face of hurt or betrayal.
Ephesians 4:31-32 provides practical guidance for this love glow up: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
It’s important to note that feeling hurt when someone wrongs us is natural and okay. Even Jesus, in His humanity, felt the pain of betrayal. However, the resurrection power gives us the ability to move beyond that hurt, to forgive, and to love in a way that defies human logic.
The journey of transformation – or “glowing up” – is ongoing. It’s not about achieving perfection, but about continually allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, making us more like Jesus day by day. As 2 Corinthians 3:18 beautifully puts it, “We are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.”
This transformation is active, not passive. It requires our participation, our willingness to let go of old ways, and our openness to the Spirit’s leading. We will stumble, we will have moments of weakness, but the power of resurrection means we don’t have to stay that way. We have the hope that as time passes, we’ll be able to look back and barely recognize our former selves, seeing instead the glorious work of transformation that God has done in us.
So, are you ready for your spiritual glow up? Are you willing to stand before God daily, allowing His presence to transform you? The resurrection power is available to all who believe, offering us the chance to be “transfigured” – changed in a way that reveals true beauty, glory, and character.
Let’s embrace this power, allowing it to work in our identities, our hearts, and our capacity to love. May we be so transformed that, like the resurrected Jesus, we become beautifully unrecognizable – glowing with the light of Christ in a way that draws others to Him.