Every man possesses that which is according to the image of God, for the gifts of God are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). But only a few ? those who are virtuous and holy, and have imitated the goodness of God to the limit of human powers ? possess that which is according to the likeness of God.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the divine potential in every person, highlighting the importance of virtue and holiness to truly reflect God's likeness.
In this quote, John of Damascus articulates a profound understanding of humanity's divine attributes. He asserts that while all individuals bear the image of God, it is the virtuous and holy among them who most closely resemble God's goodness. This distinction draws attention to the pivotal role of moral character in spiritual development, suggesting that true divinity is not just a birthright but requires the conscious effort of emulating God's goodness in our actions and thoughts.
In practice
This quote can be used in a sermon to inspire congregation members towards virtuous living.
The saints must be honored as friends of Christ and children and heirs of God. Let us carefully observe the manner of life of all the apostles, martyrs, ascetics, and just men who announced the coming of the Lord. And let us emulate their faith, charity, hope, zeal, life, patience under suffering, and perseverance unto death so that we may also share their crowns of glory.
If the Word of God is living and powerful, and if the Lord does all things whatsoever he wills; if he said, "Let there be light", and it happened; if he said, "let there be a firmament", and it happened; ...if finally the Word of God himself willingly became man and made flesh for himself out of the most pure and undefiled blood of the holy and ever Virgin, why should he not be capable of making bread his Body and wine and water his Blood?... God said, "This is my Body", and "This is my Blood."
Both angels and demons are ignorant of the future, yet they make predictions. The angels do so when God reveals the future to them and commands them to prophesy, and what they prophesy comes to pass. Demons also make predictions, but these are only guesses based on what they see from afar.
Angels are intelligent reflections of light, that original light which has no beginning. They can illuminate. They do not need tongues or ears, for they can communicate without speech, in thought.
All who ask receive, those who seek find, and to those who knock it shall be opened. Therefore, let us knock at the beautiful garden of Scripture. It is fragrant, sweet, and blooming with various sounds of spiritual and divinely inspired birds. They sing all around our ears, capture our hearts, comfort the mourners, pacify the angry, and fill us with everlasting joy.
...we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us away from what is good? Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness?
Humanity's a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there.
The destiny of man is to unite, not to divide.
Coffee is a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to your older self.
A man full of faith is simply one who has lost the capacity for clear and realistic thought.
Christianity even when watered down is hot enough to boil all modern society to rags.
Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor.
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