"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Corinthians 3:18).
From all eternity the members of the Godhead have always been face-to-face with each other. The everlasting Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always enjoyed the closest of relationships. This is particularly seen of Christ in John 1:1, ". . . and the Word was with God." This statement denotes not merely Christ's existence alongside of God, but a face-to-face communion with God. (The only break in this communion and fellowship was when Christ bore man's sin during those three hours of darkness on the cross.)
God enjoys face-to-face relationship with His children, resulting in two very distinct blessings.
The first blessing is the privilege of being made like Christ. The text for today speaks of the "open face" or unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord, through the mirror of God's word, changed (transformed) into the same image of Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit. This was not so with unbelieving Israel. "But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it [the heart] shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away" (II Corinthians 3:15-16). The wonderful promise is that both Jew and Gentile can have a face-to-face relationship with God through His word and be changed into Christ's image.
The second blessing is the promise of answered prayer. "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward [face-to-face] God" (I John 3:21).
Those who, because of unconfessed sin, cannot look God in the face, have no assurance of answered prayer. Our confidence toward God is through a face-to-face relationship. NPS
