Popular magazines and TV shows have a current phenomenon: the extreme makeover.  Know what I mean? 

Some ugly or dreary cleaning woman is transformed into Cinderella.  Plastic surgery, oral reconstruction, cosmetic experts, fashion consultants, diet coaches, hair stylists all rally for a complete makeover. 

It all happens on the surface. 

The Bible, however talks about a transformation of someone's whole life. 

1 Corinthians 6:11, says, "But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."  This isn't style, cosmetics, lipo-suction, or fashion.  This is a whole new life.

Check out the preceding verses and find listed a ugly catalog of things which persist today: sexually immorality, idolatry, adultery, prostitution and homosexuality, thievery, greed, drunkenness, slandering, and swindling.  Such wickedness cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

But Paul says such stuff is a thing of the past, thank God, for those who are in Christ.  God has worked a change in you.  He intentionally repeats three times the little yet powerful word, "but." 

Some modern translations only put it in once, but St. Paul is deliberate, "But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus..." 

God is saying you are thoroughly washed through His forgiveness received in holy baptism.  In Christian baptism you have been washed clean from the filth of sin, "But you were washed." 

You are also put into an intimate, consecrated union with God, "But you were sanctified." 

And even more, your guilt has been removed through the merits of Christ declared yours, "But you have been justified." 

Talk about an extreme makeover!

The Christian is righteous before God indeed.  This is the state of grace for all who are baptized into Jesus Christ and who receive by faith all He has done. 

How is this change made?  In a salon?  In a boutique?  No; in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God.  It is God the Holy Spirit, who through the Gospel applies, gives, communicates, and imparts to you all the beauty and blessedness of Christ.