So often I hear people asking what their purpose is, as if their job or vocation is the thing that gives life meaning. Yet here we are reminded that our purpose is to reflect God to the world and reflect our praises back to him. We can do that despite any vocation or lack thereof just by being open to the spirit moving in us and through us in this world.
Very well said! God enables us to reflect his image by making us new creations empowered by his Spirit. We have great purpose, indeed! --NTW Online Team
Heavenly Father I’m losing hope as a single mother. Both of my sons have special needs. I pray that you bless me with your love, grace, and strength, as I tirelessly care for my sons. I ask that You provide for my every need and sustain me in my daily struggles. Because Lord I’m overwhelmed struggling to pay rent each and every month struggling to buy groceries. Lord hear my prayers.
Life us difficult and really messy. And as you grow, you'll be amazed how your perspective changes and the which stress you out now will cease to do so in the future. Most importantly is that the Lord's a supernatural God and if you let Him, He'll work miraculously in your life. Keep your head up. Allow yourself to cry. And give yourself grace...lots and lots of grace!
I was a single mother, I am now a nan, we got through and love The Lord, don't give up, ask for the help you need at your local churches, seek The Lord with all your heart and He will show you His way through your situation. When we are in trouble we are to pray in faith knowing He hears us. You are blessed even in the mess as He is your Father in heaven
We're so encouraged to hear that you found the video helpful. There's plenty more content on our channel for you to enjoy, and we look forward to sharing the rest of this series with you! --NTW Online Team
We're excited about this topic, too! We're also incredibly grateful for our donors who make these videos possible. Glad you're here, Mike! --NTW Online Team
We're so grateful you enjoy this interpretation, which is rooted in historical context. Because of our donors and supporters, we are able to add more to this teaching series. More to come! --NTW Online Team
The likeness of God is spirit, innocent and eternal. We know who we are through forgiveness. "If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent."
I was reading Daniel 3 today, and I thought through the passage, and watching this video, everything I thought about that passage is coming to light. God bless you to give us more
Thank you for sharing this, It’s wonderful that the themes in the video connect with what you've been reading in Daniel. Blessings as you continue to reflect God's image in your studies and life! --NTW Online Team
I've been researching "God's image" and it's a little more complex than what the culturally normative view is. It is worth noting that the early Patristic Writings suggest there is a difference between the "likeness" and the "image" of God. That image/fruit is the result of work, vis a vis the teaching of James that he will show his faith by his works. This is covenant language. God bless Dr. Wright for his historical insights, and for rocking the boat in the Western Church on Paul! I've learned so much from him!
The likeness of God is spirit, innocent and eternal. We know who we are through forgiveness. "If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent." "That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit"
I find a good beginning on defining on what we are without getting too theologically intense, is to remind ourselves how we are similar and unsimilar to our angelic cousins in creation. Where we differ however is that we are like broken angels, spiritually speaking, and we have a few unique qualities like our ability to pro-create and the universe was fined tuned for our creation on our own planet.
We're so grateful you're here and part of our community! What have been some of your favorite teachings so far? We'd love to hear what has stood out to you. --NTW Online Team
Amen. 100%. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God; but if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. *_For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, but we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us_* 2Cor 4:1-7
Thank you for your encouragement! We’re so grateful to be able to share these videos and to see them making a difference. A special thanks to our generous donors who make this work possible! --NTW Online Team
I am glad to hear this subject put into the biblical context and that of the times. Thank you. There is one critical thing not considered however. The crowning quality of God's image and likeness came upon the eating of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. "Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil," God said (Gen. 3:22). The ramifications of this need to be understood.
Hallelujah! Glory to God. I am currently reading a book forwarded by Mr Wright called Image Bearers. It is such a blessing and more is expounded upon therein. When an Artist creates an image it is done so intentionally and for a purpose. We are the Temple of the living God. His Holy Spirit. “Let US down and make man, in OUR own image and likeness.
A wonderful analogy--an artist creating on purpose. The concept of God as an artist, creating each of us with intention and purpose, shows that our lives are filled with meaning and significance. Thank you for sharing your reflections! --NTW Online Team
I know your not going to believe me but I had a dream that I was made for 1 job... to be a reflection of god in my daily life which led me to his video (message from god)... thankyou so much for this explanation
I find this particularly interesting in light of this week's revised common lectionary readings from James 1 and Mark7. It is not what goes in that corrupts but what comes out of our mouths. If we are to Our acts of generosity reflect God but our our acts of anger and wickedness give the world a distorted image of God. What image does my miror project?
Thank you for your thoughtful reflections! You've beautifully framed the question of what image our "mirror" projects--it's a challenge for all of us to consider how we represent God in our daily lives. Thank you for sharing! --NTW Online Team
So, humans are ''icons'' of God in the earth basically. Problem is tha Bible says something else. Romans start declaring that the whole creation is indeed the representation of the invisible God. Not only humans, but the whole creation. So, its not that you are wrong, men indeed represent God in its distinctive way, but the problem is that no only humans, but the whole creation represents in its own way the One true God.
I love NT Wright's teachings but this does not mention the indwelling Holy Spirit whose presence and counsel make it possible for us to reflect God's image.
From the video: The result is that we human beings, called to follow Jesus, transformed by his Spirit through the gospel, are to be, as Paul says in Colossians 3, “renewed in knowledge according to the image of the Creator.”
The Bible needs very careful interpretation. Somehow or other you should read between the lies. And it has great yarns e.g. Samson and Delilah (Judges 16).
So often I hear people asking what their purpose is, as if their job or vocation is the thing that gives life meaning. Yet here we are reminded that our purpose is to reflect God to the world and reflect our praises back to him. We can do that despite any vocation or lack thereof just by being open to the spirit moving in us and through us in this world.
Exodus 35:30-35 has a great message. The first mention of the Spirit of God (who isn't a ghost, either.)
Very well said! God enables us to reflect his image by making us new creations empowered by his Spirit. We have great purpose, indeed!
--NTW Online Team
Heavenly Father I’m losing hope as a single mother. Both of my sons have special needs. I pray that you bless me with your love, grace, and strength, as I tirelessly care for my sons. I ask that You provide for my every need and sustain me in my daily struggles. Because Lord I’m overwhelmed struggling to pay rent each and every month struggling to buy groceries. Lord hear my prayers.
Life us difficult and really messy. And as you grow, you'll be amazed how your perspective changes and the which stress you out now will cease to do so in the future. Most importantly is that the Lord's a supernatural God and if you let Him, He'll work miraculously in your life. Keep your head up. Allow yourself to cry. And give yourself grace...lots and lots of grace!
Amen
I was a single mother, I am now a nan, we got through and love The Lord, don't give up, ask for the help you need at your local churches, seek The Lord with all your heart and He will show you His way through your situation. When we are in trouble we are to pray in faith knowing He hears us. You are blessed even in the mess as He is your Father in heaven
May God Almighty stretch His healing hand and touch your precious sons. May He give you His Shalom!
Praying for you!
So thankful and glad this video appeared on my feed. I learnt so much. Will keep following this series.
We're so encouraged to hear that you found the video helpful. There's plenty more content on our channel for you to enjoy, and we look forward to sharing the rest of this series with you!
--NTW Online Team
So grateful for your teachings, professor Wright. Thank you very much!
We're grateful you're here and are blessed by these videos!
--NTW Online Team
I have really missed these. Thank you for putting them back on line. Love the new topic!!! Lord's blessings.
We're excited about this topic, too! We're also incredibly grateful for our donors who make these videos possible. Glad you're here, Mike!
--NTW Online Team
Stunning interpretation - thank you, professor Wright!
We're so grateful you enjoy this interpretation, which is rooted in historical context. Because of our donors and supporters, we are able to add more to this teaching series. More to come!
--NTW Online Team
Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Thomas!
Thank you for connecting the theme of royal priesthood with the idea of God's image in us
We're grateful you see this connection. We have been enabled for great work as God's image bearers.
--NTW Online Team
The likeness of God is spirit, innocent and eternal. We know who we are through forgiveness.
"If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent."
I was reading Daniel 3 today, and I thought through the passage, and watching this video, everything I thought about that passage is coming to light. God bless you to give us more
Thank you for sharing this, It’s wonderful that the themes in the video connect with what you've been reading in Daniel. Blessings as you continue to reflect God's image in your studies and life!
--NTW Online Team
Bless you, professor. It gave me pure insight of understanding.
We are so grateful to hear this and to share the goodness of God's word together!
--NTW Online Team
I've been researching "God's image" and it's a little more complex than what the culturally normative view is.
It is worth noting that the early Patristic Writings suggest there is a difference between the "likeness" and the "image" of God.
That image/fruit is the result of work, vis a vis the teaching of James that he will show his faith by his works. This is covenant language.
God bless Dr. Wright for his historical insights, and for rocking the boat in the Western Church on Paul! I've learned so much from him!
The likeness of God is spirit, innocent and eternal. We know who we are through forgiveness.
"If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent."
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit"
I find a good beginning on defining on what we are without getting too theologically intense, is to remind ourselves how we are similar and unsimilar to our
angelic cousins in creation. Where we differ however is that we are like broken angels, spiritually speaking, and we have a few unique qualities like
our ability to pro-create and the universe was fined tuned for our creation on our own planet.
I am so grateful I have stumbled across your work and your teachings.
We're so grateful you're here and part of our community! What have been some of your favorite teachings so far? We'd love to hear what has stood out to you.
--NTW Online Team
Many thumbs up are not enough to your speech…. Thanks Professor. And praise the Lord because we are made by your Image !
We're so grateful that you're blessed to know more about the image you bear. Every blessing to you!
--NTW Online Team
Amen. 100%.
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God; but if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
*_For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, but we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us_* 2Cor 4:1-7
This was comforting and truly beautiful ❤.
We're so grateful to be able to offer these videos like this. Glad it was a comfort to you.
--NTW Online Team
Outstanding. Thank you. May God richly bless.
Thank you for your encouragement! We’re so grateful to be able to share these videos and to see them making a difference. A special thanks to our generous donors who make this work possible!
--NTW Online Team
Always so informative to listen to you, thank you, prof. Wright.
We're grateful to be part of a community with others who seek the Lord! Glad you're here.
--NTW Online Team
Beautiful and illuminating commentary, hello firm NZ.
Hello to you in NZ! We're glad you're here and enjoyed this video. Thanks for tuning in!
--NTW Online Team
Thank you professor Wright
Thank you for your encouragement!
--NTW Online Team
I am glad to hear this subject put into the biblical context and that of the times. Thank you.
There is one critical thing not considered however. The crowning quality of God's image and likeness came upon the eating of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. "Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil," God said (Gen. 3:22). The ramifications of this need to be understood.
Image of God - Imaging God, Reflecting the image to the world and back to God thereby fulfilling the very purpose of our life.
Thank you for your beautiful words! It's a wonderful gift that God chooses to use his people to reflect his image.
--NTW Online Team
Hallelujah! Glory to God. I am currently reading a book forwarded by Mr Wright called Image Bearers. It is such a blessing and more is expounded upon therein. When an Artist creates an image it is done so intentionally and for a purpose. We are the Temple of the living God. His Holy Spirit. “Let US down and make man, in OUR own image and likeness.
A wonderful analogy--an artist creating on purpose. The concept of God as an artist, creating each of us with intention and purpose, shows that our lives are filled with meaning and significance. Thank you for sharing your reflections!
--NTW Online Team
This is so helpful. Thank you for it!
We are glad it was so helpful! We're grateful for our supporters who make these videos possible for so many.
--NTW Online Team
This was very insightful! Thank you so much for sharing.
We're grateful to share these videos. We're thankful for our donors and supporters who make our ministry possible. Thank you!
--NTW Online Team
Thank you.
I know your not going to believe me but I had a dream that I was made for 1 job... to be a reflection of god in my daily life which led me to his video (message from god)... thankyou so much for this explanation
Thank you for sharing your experience. We're glad the video encouraged your understanding!
--NTW Online Team
🙏🏻
💖
I find this particularly interesting in light of this week's revised common lectionary readings from James 1 and Mark7. It is not what goes in that corrupts but what comes out of our mouths. If we are to Our acts of generosity reflect God but our our acts of anger and wickedness give the world a distorted image of God. What image does my miror project?
Thank you for your thoughtful reflections! You've beautifully framed the question of what image our "mirror" projects--it's a challenge for all of us to consider how we represent God in our daily lives. Thank you for sharing!
--NTW Online Team
wow
Let US make MAN!!!! in OUR IMAGE!!!!!😮
In Hebrew, “Adam” is a term for humankind.
Jesus Christ of Nazareth....
So, humans are ''icons'' of God in the earth basically. Problem is tha Bible says something else. Romans start declaring that the whole creation is indeed the representation of the invisible God. Not only humans, but the whole creation. So, its not that you are wrong, men indeed represent God in its distinctive way, but the problem is that no only humans, but the whole creation represents in its own way the One true God.
I love NT Wright's teachings but this does not mention the indwelling Holy Spirit whose presence and counsel make it possible for us to reflect God's image.
From the video: The result is that we human beings, called to follow Jesus, transformed by his Spirit through the gospel, are to be, as Paul says in Colossians 3, “renewed in knowledge according to the image of the Creator.”
The Bible needs very careful interpretation.
Somehow or other you should read between the lies.
And it has great yarns e.g. Samson and Delilah (Judges 16).