“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.”
The Face
This verse gives the whole book its title image, with open face, contrasted elsewhere in this same passage with a veiled face unable to genuinely behold. This third movement, turning from being known toward genuine transformation, opens with this specific image, unveiled beholding producing actual, ongoing change.
Notice beholding as in a glass, an ancient mirror, imperfect by modern standards, and yet sufficient for this described transformation, changed into the same image, from glory to glory. Transformation here is not achieved through effort alone, but through beholding, sustained attention toward the glory of the Lord.
This closes the loop connecting all three movements this book has traced. Seen, known, and now, transformed, specifically through beholding, not through separate, unrelated effort, but through the natural outflow of genuinely, unveiled seeing and knowing this whole book has been building toward across its first twenty days.
Consider today what it means to behold with open face, unveiled, sustained attention toward the glory of the Lord, trusting this verse’s promise that such beholding itself produces genuine change, from glory to glory, not achieved through separate effort, but through this same sustained, unveiled seeing.
Turn Your Face
- Consider what veil, if any, has kept your own beholding of God’s glory less than fully open.
- Behold with open face today, deliberately, sustained attention rather than a quick glance.
- Trust that this beholding itself, not separate effort, produces the transformation this verse describes.
Prayer
Lord, let me behold you with open face, unveiled, and be changed into your same image, from glory to glory, through this beholding itself, not through separate effort alone. Amen.
Carry this today
Sustained, unveiled beholding itself produces genuine transformation.