The LUSTER of Forgiveness
LUSTER is a way of picturing God’s holy-love as it interacts with a person. The name gestures toward its meaning: Light Unapproachable Shining Through Every Reflecting mirror. Scripture speaks of God as the one “who dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Tim 6:16), not to distance Him from creation, but to name the holy excess of His love. LUSTER is not a mechanism, a psychology, or a metaphysical claim about how souls function. It is an analogy—one meant to help us see, with clarity and hope, how holy-love works within human freedom (Deut 30:19; Rev 3:20).
In this picture, the person is like a mirror. The silvered backing represents the human spirit, the place where God’s holy-love is first received (Prov 20:27; Rom 8:16). The surface of the mirror represents the soul—will, mind, and emotions—through which that love is reflected (Matt 22:37; Rom 12:2). The frame of the mirror is the physical body, situating this reflection in real, embodied life (Rom 12:1; 1 Cor 6:19–20). God’s light—holy, radiant, and beyond possession—is meant to strike the backing, pass through the soul, and shine back toward God and outward toward others (Matt 5:14–16; 2 Cor 4:6).
When this orientation is maintained, God’s holy-love is intensified rather than diminished (John 12:24; 2 Cor 3:18). The mirror does not grasp the light, master it, or generate its own radiance. It receives and reflects (John 1:16; 1 Cor 4:7). When the soul is surrendered to God’s will, the light penetrates to the backing and returns through the surface with heightened clarity (Rom 6:13; James 4:7). Every person is made in the image of God, so every person has the capacity to reflect holy-love (Gen 1:26–27; James 3:9). God shines toward each mirror only as much unapproachable light as the mirror is capable of reflecting (Luke 16:10; Matt 25:21).
Sin, within the analogy, occurs when a mirror chooses to retain God’s holy-love rather than reflect it (Rom 1:21–25). Light held inward becomes heat. The mirror begins to burn rather than shine (James 1:14–15). Over time, the surface darkens, reflection diminishes, and sin accelerates (Eph 4:18–19; Heb 3:13). The heat produced by absorption does not remain contained; it radiates outward and harms others (Prov 15:18; James 3:5–6). Those who are wounded then face their own decisive moment. The instinct is to stop reflecting God’s holy-love and instead return heat for heat, injury for injury (Matt 5:38–39; Rom 12:17).
A better way is to remain oriented toward God. When the wounded mirror maintains or turns again toward God’s light, even the heat of sin can be offered back to God (Ps 62:8; 1 Pet 5:7). God alone can convert that heat into light (Rom 8:28; Isa 61:3). Forgiveness, in this sense, is the decision to entrust the burning to God rather than pass it on unchanged (Rom 12:19–21; Eph 4:32). Turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, praying for enemies—these are not acts of passivity but of transformation (Matt 5:39–44). Harm is handed over to God and then more holy-love is returned to the offender as an intensified invitation to repent (Rom 2:4; Luke 23:34).
What passes back through the mirror is no longer raw pain or vengeance, but love shaped by mercy (Col 3:12–13). God takes what was meant for harm and sends back something the offender could never expect or deserve—love that seeks healing rather than vengeance (Gen 50:20; Luke 6:35). The offending soul remains free but now is given even more reason to repent (2 Pet 3:9). Love is offered, never imposed (1 Cor 13:5; Rev 22:17).
LUSTER reminds us that holiness is not fragile and love is not weak (Rom 1:16; 1 John 4:18). God’s unapproachable light does not retreat in the face of sin but waits for a willing surface through which it may shine again (Isa 30:18; John 1:5). Light is intensified when allowed to pass through wounded lives without being hoarded or weaponized (2 Cor 4:10–12). The soul becomes luminous not by avoiding injury, but by consenting—again and again—to let holy-love have the final word (Luke 9:23; Gal 2:20).
Scripture Mentioned Above (all in NASB)
1 Timothy 6:16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.
Revelation 3:20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.
Matthew 22:37 And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
Matthew 5:14–16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
John 1:16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
1 Corinthians 4:7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
Romans 6:13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Genesis 1:26–27 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
James 3:9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
Luke 16:10 “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’
Romans 1:21–25 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
James 1:14–15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Ephesians 4:18–19 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute.
James 3:5–6 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
Matthew 5:38–39 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Romans 12:17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Isaiah 61:3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Romans 12:19–21 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Matthew 5:39–44 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Romans 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Luke 23:34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
Colossians 3:12–13 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
1 Corinthians 13:5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.
John 1:5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
2 Corinthians 4:10–12 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.
Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
