UNVEILED FACES BEFORE GOD

UNVEILED FACES BEFORE GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Key Verse: “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.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18

Supporting Texts: Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:12-17; Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 24:3-4; Psalm 27:4; James 1:22-25; 1 John 1:5-9

Description: An unveiled face represents openness and freedom before God, enabling believers to behold His glory, experience His presence and be progressively transformed into Christ’s image.

INTRODUCTION

Under the old covenant, Moses covered his face after encountering the glory of God, and Paul uses this experience to explain a greater spiritual reality available through Christ. Through the new covenant, the veil has been removed, giving believers the privilege of approaching God with openness and confidence.

An unveiled face speaks of transparency before God. It means we do not need to hide behind religious appearance, pretence or self-righteousness. God desires us to come before Him honestly, allowing His light to expose what needs to be changed and His grace to transform what has been broken.

Paul declares that when we behold the glory of the Lord with an open face, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory. The presence of God does not merely make us feel better; it changes us. When we continually come before Him with an unveiled heart, the Holy Spirit works within us until Christ becomes increasingly visible in our lives.

1. CHRIST REMOVES THE VEIL BETWEEN US AND GOD

The coming of Christ changed our access to God. What was once hidden has been revealed through the new covenant.

a. The Veil Is Taken Away in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14) — Christ removes the spiritual blindness that prevents people from understanding God’s truth.

b. The Veil Is Removed When We Turn to the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:16) — Genuine turning to Christ brings spiritual clarity and freedom.

c. Jesus Gives Us Access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18) — Through Christ and by the Spirit, believers can approach God directly.

d. The Way Into God’s Presence Is Open (Hebrews 10:19-22) — The blood of Jesus gives believers confidence to enter God’s presence with a sincere heart.

Biblical Example: When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, demonstrating that access to God had been opened through Christ (Matthew 27:50-51).

2. AN UNVEILED FACE SPEAKS OF SINCERITY BEFORE GOD

God is not interested in outward religious appearance while the heart remains hidden. He desires truth in the inward parts.

a. God Looks at the Heart (1 Samuel 16:7) — Human beings may judge outward appearance, but God examines the heart.

b. We Must Come to God Honestly (Psalm 51:6) — God desires truth within us rather than pretence.

c. We Must Put Away Hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27-28) — Jesus strongly condemned outward religion that concealed inward corruption.

d. God Desires a Clean Heart (Psalm 51:10) — An unveiled life invites God to search, cleanse and renew the heart.

Biblical Example: David openly confessed his sin before God after his failure with Bathsheba and pleaded for a clean heart and a right spirit (Psalm 51:1-12).

3. AN UNVEILED FACE ALLOWS US TO BEHOLD GOD’S GLORY

We cannot experience deep transformation while continually hiding from God. We must turn our hearts towards Him and behold His glory.

a. Seek God’s Presence (Psalm 27:4) — David’s greatest desire was to dwell in God’s presence and behold His beauty.

b. Look Unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) — Fixing our spiritual attention on Jesus strengthens us to continue faithfully.

c. God’s Word Reveals His Glory (John 1:14) — Christ is the perfect revelation of God’s glory and character.

d. Worship Directs Our Hearts Towards God (Psalm 95:6) — Genuine worship shifts our attention from ourselves and circumstances to the greatness of God.

Biblical Example: Moses repeatedly entered the presence of God to commune with Him, and his encounters with God produced visible evidence of divine glory (Exodus 33:11; 34:29).

4. GOD’S GLORY EXPOSES WHAT MUST CHANGE

God’s glory is both beautiful and searching. When we come before Him sincerely, His light reveals areas that need correction.

a. God’s Word Searches the Heart (Hebrews 4:12) — Scripture exposes thoughts, motives and attitudes that may be hidden from other people.

b. God Corrects Those He Loves (Hebrews 12:5-6) — Divine correction is evidence of God’s fatherly love and desire for our growth.

c. We Must Confess What God Reveals (1 John 1:9) — Confession opens the way for forgiveness and cleansing.

d. We Must Respond with Obedience (James 1:22) — Revelation becomes fruitful when we act upon what God shows us.

Biblical Example: Isaiah encountered God’s glory in the temple, became aware of his uncleanness and responded to God’s cleansing and calling (Isaiah 6:1-8).

5. AN UNVEILED FACE PRODUCES TRANSFORMATION

The purpose of beholding God's glory is transformation. God wants what we see in His presence to become evident in our character.

a. We Are Changed into Christ’s Image (2 Corinthians 3:18) — Continual exposure to Christ through the Spirit produces progressive transformation.

b. Our Minds Are Renewed (Romans 12:2) — God changes our lives as our thinking is brought into agreement with His Word.

c. The Old Nature Is Replaced (Ephesians 4:22-24) — We must put off the old way of life and put on the new nature created according to God.

d. Christ Is Formed in Us (Galatians 4:19) — Spiritual maturity means that Christ’s character becomes increasingly visible in us.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, and his encounter produced immediate changes in his attitude towards possessions, restitution and other people (Luke 19:1-10).

6. AN UNVEILED FACE REQUIRES CONTINUAL FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

Transformation is not a one-time experience. We must continually return to God’s presence and maintain fellowship with Him.

a. Abide in Christ (John 15:4-5) — Fruitfulness comes from remaining connected to Christ.

b. Continue in Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) — A consistent prayer life keeps our hearts sensitive to God.

c. Meditate on God’s Word (Joshua 1:8) — Continual meditation allows God’s truth to shape our thinking and conduct.

d. Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25) — Daily dependence upon the Spirit enables us to live according to God’s will.

Biblical Example: Daniel maintained a consistent prayer life despite opposition, demonstrating the importance of continual fellowship with God (Daniel 6:10).

7. AN UNVEILED LIFE REFLECTS CHRIST TO OTHERS

When we genuinely behold Christ, His character becomes visible through our lives. We become living reflections of the One we worship.

a. Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16) — Our conduct should lead people to glorify our Father in heaven.

b. Reflect Christ’s Character (Colossians 3:12-14) — Compassion, kindness, humility, patience and love demonstrate the character of Jesus.

c. Be a Living Epistle (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) — Our lives can become a testimony that people read even when they never open a Bible.

d. Grow in Christlikeness (1 John 2:6) — Those who claim to abide in Christ should walk as He walked.

Biblical Example: The believers at Antioch lived in such a way that their identity with Christ became so evident that they were first called Christians there (Acts 11:26).

CONCLUSION

An unveiled face before God is an invitation to intimacy, sincerity and transformation. Because Christ has removed the veil, we no longer need to approach God from a distance or hide behind religious appearances. We can come boldly, honestly and confidently into His presence.

As we continually behold the glory of the Lord, the Holy Spirit changes us from glory to glory. May God remove every veil from our understanding, purify our hearts and make our lives increasingly reflect Jesus Christ. May what God begins in His presence become visible through our lives before the world.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, remove every spiritual veil that prevents me from seeing You clearly, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, give me an unveiled heart that is sincere and transparent before You, in Jesus name.

3. Holy Spirit, draw me into deeper fellowship with God, in Jesus name.

4. Father, expose and remove everything in my life that does not please You, in Jesus name.

5. Lord, give me grace to respond obediently whenever Your Word corrects me, in Jesus name.

6. Father, transform me continually into the image of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

7. Holy Spirit, renew my mind and reshape my character according to Christ, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, help me to remain in Your presence and continually behold Your glory, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let the character of Christ become clearly visible in my life, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, take me from glory to glory until my life becomes a true reflection of Christ, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. Every veil covering your spiritual understanding shall be removed.

2. You shall see the Lord more clearly and know Him more deeply.

3. Your heart shall become increasingly sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

4. Every hidden thing that hinders your spiritual growth shall be exposed and removed.

5. You shall experience deeper fellowship with God and greater manifestations of His glory.

6. You shall be transformed continually into the image of Jesus Christ.

7. Your character shall increasingly reflect the love, holiness and nature of Christ.

8. You shall move from glory to glory and from strength to strength.

9. Your life shall become a living testimony of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

10. As you behold the glory of the Lord, your life shall radiate His presence and bring glory to His name, in Jesus’ name.