Paul speaks of a certain ministry calling that every Christian has. This ministry does not require particular gifts or talents; rather, it is to be undertaken by all who have been born again. In fact, this ministry is every believer’s first calling. All other endeavors must flow out of it because no ministry can be pleasing to God unless it is birthed out of this calling.
I am talking about the ministry of beholding the face of Christ. Paul says, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). What does it mean to behold the Lord’s glory? Paul is speaking here of devoted, focused worship — time given to God simply to behold him. And the apostle quickly adds, “Therefore, since we have this ministry” (4:1). Paul makes it very clear that beholding the face of Christ is a ministry we all must devote ourselves to.
The Greek word for “beholding” is a very strong expression; it indicates not just taking a look, but “fixing the gaze.” It means, “Before I do anything else or try to accomplish a single thing, I must be in God’s presence.”
Many misinterpret the phrase “beholding as in a mirror” (3:18). They think of Jesus’ face being reflected back to them. But Paul is speaking of an intensely focused gaze, as if peering at something earnestly through a glass, trying to see it more clearly. We are to “fix our eyes” in this way, determined to see God’s glory in the face of Christ. We are to shut ourselves in with him and commune with such devotion that we are changed.
Paul continues is 2 Corinthians 3:18: “[We] are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” By being in the presence of Christ, we are being changed by the work of the Spirit. How wonderful to know that the Holy Spirit will work a progressive increase of the character of Christ in us as we focus on him.