Discovering Christianity through Moses and the Prophets  

Romans 13:8-14

Jim Davis

I was listening to First Chronicles on my IPod as I was walking my dog. The first ten chapters of First Chronicles are genealogies. The writer traces the genealogy from Adam to Saul. It is almost mind boggling. The lists go on and on. Sometimes you want to ask, what is the point? It is amazing how the biblical writers grounded what they taught into real historical events—in real lives. It is salvation history rooted in the depths of the lives of God’s chosen people. It was extremely important for Israel to see how God had worked with them historically. Biblical stories are not visions dreamed up on a mountainside in a state of euphoria. Biblical history reveals how God reveals himself through the lives of real people, in real places, in real time. Realizing how deeply rooted the New Testament is into this history, it is all the more amazing. It means that we as believers today are deeply rooted in the history of all the believers of all time. 

My daughter gave me a necklace for my birthday. It has a pendant of the Star of David with the Cross of Christ imbedded in the very center. The pendant is small; it is nothing big and gawky that makes it leap out at you. It speaks of our Judeo-Christian roots. I have been absolutely astonished at how many strangers have walked up to me and ask me the meaning of the symbolism. One man at Winn Dixie supermarket actually chased me as I was leaving the store. He was inquiring of its meaning. I was standing in line to purchase tickets for a movie with my grandson. A young man turned around and asked me how these two symbols went together—what did they mean. He stated that he thought the Old Testament was no longer valid as the New Testament replaced it. I was at the meat counter in Albertson’s Supermarket and this fellow was acting strange. He followed me and kept looking at me intently. I turned to my wife and ask her what he was doing. It was at that moment, I realized he was starring inquiringly at the pendant. 

It leaves me wondering---have we so separated Christianity from the Scriptures that gave it birth. How can we come to a true understanding of Christianity and forget the history out of which believers today are borne? Christianity is borne out of those genealogies we read about in First Chronicles. The gospels take root in the heart of the Messianic promises of the Jewish Scriptures. Matthew’s gospel is deeply rooted in the lineage of Abraham.

Matthew 1:1-6
1:1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: 

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, 
Isaac the father of Jacob, 
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 
3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron, 
Hezron the father of Ram, 
4 Ram the father of Amminadab, 
Amminadab the father of Nahshon, 
Nahshon the father of Salmon, 
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, 
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse, 
6 and Jesse the father of King David. NIV

Christianity Revealed through Old Testament Perspective

Luke picks up on the theme of Christ as the fulfillment of the Davidic promises of the Old Testament Scriptures. Luke points to Christ as the promised Messiah to sit upon the throne of David. Luke quotes what the angel Gabriel told Mary.  

Luke 1:29-33
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." NIV

In Luke chapter three, Luke traces the lineage of Jesus Christ back through Adam. In tracing Christ to Adam, Luke traces the roots of Christianity to the first family in Eden. It is in Eden that the purpose of Christ sacrifice is seen. 

Genesis 3:14-15
14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this,

"Cursed are you above all the livestock 
and all the wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly 
and you will eat dust 
all the days of your life. 
15 And I will put enmity 
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel." NIV

Paul speaks of the fulfillment of this prophecy saying, “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Galatians 4:4-6 NIV). When Christ delivered us by his sacrifice, it was Satan’s death blow—the fulfillment of God’s promise to Satan.

The apostles were teaching the Old Testament scriptures when 3000 were baptized into Christ on Pentecost. Peter sees Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promise to King David. Peter revealed that Jesus is now the Lord and Christ who is sitting on David’s throne—he was preaching the spiritual restoration of David’s kingdom in Christ. 

Acts 2:22-39
22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him: 

"'I saw the Lord always before me. 
Because he is at my right hand, 
I will not be shaken. 
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; 
my body also will live in hope, 
27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, 
nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 
28 You have made known to me the paths of life; 
you will fill me with joy in your presence.'   

29 "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, 

"'The Lord said to my Lord: 
"Sit at my right hand 
35 until I make your enemies 
a footstool for your feet." '    

36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call." NIV

The rich history of the Old Testament brings the New Testament into clear focus. New Testament writers were teaching the Old Testament. The New Testament comes to life as those who followed Christ saw Christ through the eyes of Moses and the prophets. The message of the New Testament cannot be understood apart from the teaching of the Old Testament. Paul reminded Timothy how Timothy had been taught the Scriptures from a child. It was the Old Testament Scriptures Timothy was taught. Paul exhorted Timothy to stand fast in what he had been taught from a child—i.e., the Jewish Scriptures. 

2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV

The Old Testament is the fertile soil in which the New Testament is planted. It is there that it takes root and grows. Christianity begins to grow and blossom for us as we grow in our understanding of God’s work throughout Israel’s history. Those first assemblies of the saints seen in the New Testament are the fruit of those scriptures.

The Essence of Christ’s Teaching

It is Christ who gives real meaning to those Scriptures. Without those Scriptures Christ’s life and death would have no meaning. Without Christ the Old Testament would make no sense. Christ is the key piece to both Testaments. Christ revealed himself as the fulfillment of Jewish Scriptures. 

Luke 24:44-53
44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."  

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."  

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. NIV

Jesus opened the minds of his hearers in the Sermon on the Mount as he taught spiritual principals of the law of Moses. His sermon embodied the very precepts of Christianity as seen through the teaching of the Law of Moses and the prophets.  Legalism had so perverted the law that they thought Jesus was teaching something strangely new. It was Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that penetrated the heart of the Jewish legalistic code by revealing the spiritual precepts behind the rules (Matthew 5-7). The embodiment of the law came to life in Christ as he was filled with grace and truth. It is in the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus condenses the whole of biblical teaching into three short chapters. The ultimate goal is to treat others as you like to be treated. The principles set forth in Jesus’ sermon revealed how the spirit of the rules was being violated by focusing only on rule keeping. Jesus wasn’t teaching a new law. He was merely teaching the spirit of the moral law given to Moses. 

Paul teaches the Old Testament moral law is very much in tact in the New Testament. 

Romans 13:8-14 8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet,"[a] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

 11And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

As Paul writes to the believers in Rome, we understand the moral law to love one’s neighbor is deeply embedded in the scriptures of old. It may be confusing. Paul’s letter to the Colossians states Christ nailed the handwriting of ordinances that were against us to the cross. Yet, he binds the essence of the laws precepts on the believers in Rome. 

Colossians 2:9-15
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. NIV

Christ canceled the written code, but Paul indicates the precepts of the law are a very real part of Christian living. According to what Moses and Jesus taught, i.e., to love one’s neighbor, every precept of the moral law is wrapped in the following verses Paul penned to the Colossians. 

Colossians 3:12-14
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. NIV

We see that in principal the law is left in tact. Now that Christ has made that sacrifice the curse of the law is lifted. Paul clearly sums up the very intent of the law in the above verses. Paul teaches the practical aspects of Christian’s in fellowship with believers—the moral precepts of the law are in full force. They are no longer against us, but they continue to instruct us in righteousness. 

Moses and the prophets were preached to those first believers throughout Acts’ historical record. Christ could not be understood apart from Moses and the prophets. Christian fellowship could not be understood apart from the history of God’s people. 

What Did Christ Cancel?

Paul indicates that Christ canceled the written code. We may ask, “What was against us?” It was the law of sin and death that was against us—if you sin you die. The law was perfect for instruction, but could not remove the curse once the law was violated. The law which revealed God’s righteousness also revealed sin’s condemnation. The law demanded justice. The law offered no remedy. It was the just demands of the law that nailed Christ to the cross. His sacrifice delivered us from the curse of the law. However, the law was left in tact for our instruction.

The book of Hebrews leaves no doubt that the sacrificial system of the Jewish system is replaced with the single sacrifice of Christ. His sacrifice declared us righteous as his sacrifice met the just demands of the law. However, there is no evidence that the removal of the sacrificial system removed God’s moral law. 

Hebrews 4:12-16
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV

The “word of God” the Hebrew writer speaks of is the Jewish Scriptures. They were designed to penetrate the depth of our very being. The book of Hebrews came into being as the writer teaches straight from the Old Testament. The entire New Testament came into being as the apostles taught straight from those Scriptures. The difference is that when they point out our sin they point us to Christ. They encourage us to approach God with confidence to receive mercy, find grace and help in our time of need.

Galatians 3:23-29
23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. 

26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. NIV

Paul writes, “we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.” The law imprisoned them in utter hopelessness without Christ. We all are locked into a death sentence without Christ. The law’s sentence is clear—if you sin you die. It is the rule of the law. Yet, it is this very concept of the law that leads us to Christ. Today the law is valid, but it no longer holds us prisoners. We have an obligation to uphold the law, but Christ rules. He rules to set us free from the law of sin and death. 

Romans 3:27-31
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. NIV

Paul writes, “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.” Faith does not nullify the law. Faith upholds the law. Faith must recognize the validity of the law’s sentence of death is very much alive without Christ. Faith in Christ means we recognize the law as something good. People who believe in Christ uphold the law as just and righteous. It reveals sin. It warns us that the wages of sin is death. Understanding this reveals our need for faith in Christ. Those outside of Christ seeking to live by the precepts of the law are to be commended. But they need Christ who meets the just demands of the law. 

The old law spoke to the Hebrews saying, “You need more than the Law.” No amount of sacrifices could remove a single sin the law revealed. The law was perfect, but it could only point out the imperfections—sinfulness of mankind. The law serves the same purpose today. The law cannot do anything about sin other than point out that it’s condemnation. 

Romans 3:19-20
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 

If we look at the moral law as a means to justification, it will always be against us. It will only declare us guilty before God (Romans 7:14-ff). When we use it to judge others; it will only leave them guilty as it condemns us. 

James 4:11-12
11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you — who are you to judge your neighbor? NIV

When the law is used to justify or condemn—it only increases our guilt—it begins to have a negative effect. It may make us sinful and bitter as we become judges of the law. Yet, when we use these moral precepts to clean up our lives—as a means to understanding our need for repentance—to become the kind of people God desires us to become—it becomes something positive. 

Often, it is hard for religious people who have been raised on guilt and disciplined with fear to come to grips with the true means of justification through faith in Christ. It is hard for them to live under grace while recognizing the law as a means to graceful living (Romans 6:1ff). It is equally difficult for religious people who have been reared with no law to come to grips with the moral law. The law is not a means to justification or condemnation. Sin condemns—Christ’s sacrifice justifies—the law only reveals the condemnation as it points us to Christ to allow God to salvage our lives on planet earth.

The Birth of God’s Grace

The very nature of the Old Testament moral law revealed the sinfulness of man—the law created a consciousness of sin. Throughout the Old Testament we witness the faithful struggling to obey God, while their personal failures were overwhelming. Yet, God demonstrated his mercy, justice and forbearance as he left their sins unpunished until he laid the full burden of all our sins upon Christ as he died on the cross. 

Romans 3:21-26
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. NIV

Christianity finds its meaning in the very heart of the Jewish scriptures. Notice what Paul teaches, “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” Grace cannot be understood apart from the Old Testament. It is there that God gives us a demonstration of his grace through his mercy and forbearance. 

We see the strengths and weaknesses of the faithful ones in the Old Testament stories. More often than not they were crushed with the weight of guilt and the consequences of their personal sin. God’s law revealed their sinfulness—their utter hopelessness. Yet, his loving mercy salvaged their lives. God teaches us that they were not saved because of their perfection. They were saved by what God was planning to do through Christ. 

There is a beautiful story about David as Saul seeks to kill him. The story reveals David’s dependence on God as his advocate to declare him innocent or guilty. He refuses to sit in judgment on Saul. Even when he knows Saul is out to kill him. He trusts God’s judgment. He can do this because he knows God will rescue him from the destructive power of Saul. Davis says:

1 Samuel 24:15
15 May the LORD judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!" NLT

We may not have someone seeking to kill us, but can we believe any less about God when sin pursues us? Listen to David as he struggles with his personal sin. This passage demonstrates the psalmist’s dependence on the mercy and forbearance of God to cleanse him from his sin. 

Psalms 51:3-12
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me. 
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned 
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak 
and justified when you judge. 
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 
9 Hide your face from my sins 
and blot out all my iniquity. 

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 
11 Do not cast me from your presence 
or take your Holy Spirit from me. 
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation 
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. NIV

It is clear David has an understanding of the nature of God’s grace as he stands condemned by the law. He certainly didn’t know what God was planning to do through Christ, but he knew God. No doubt passages such as these motivated John to assure Christians of their salvation, while reminding us that we are not without sin.

1 John 1:5-2:6
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 

1 John 2
2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 

3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. NIV

As David stands before Saul he proclaims God as his advocate—as we stand before Satan we simply proclaim Christ as our advocate who pleads our case with God in spite of our sin. We need to remind ourselves how God demonstrated his love to the Jews throughout the Old Testament stories. God set them apart to a holy calling. God gave them a law to clean up their lives. God was their redeemer. God was their advocate. God was their protector. God was their provider. Why did he do this for such sinful people—to demonstrate his love and forbearance to us—his grace to us, which was to come through Christ.   

Conclusion:

The Old Testament reveals a personal God who intervenes in history. Christianity makes God very personal as he comes to life in us—as he reigns through us—as his original image is reborn in us. 

Today many are confused about the church as they seek to piece together a viable image of the church.  We look backward through the pages of church history seeking to understand the church. We look to those first assemblies of the saints. We study their practices and seek to piece together doctrines. We seek to imitate them. Yet, the New Testament writers see themselves through the eyes of Moses and the prophets. They understand their assemblies as the spiritual formation of the spiritual kingdom of God born out of the Scriptures. 

The true meaning of what we call the church in the New Testament can only be found in the fertile soil in which she came to life. It is where those first believer’s hearts were firmly planted. This is crucial to understanding Christianity. We may believe in the cross, the resurrection and the sacraments, but their true meaning cannot be understood or truly appreciated apart from the scriptures of Jewish origin. They lead us to Christ so that we may reflect his glory in our lives.

2 Corinthians 3:7-18
7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! 

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. NIV