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Emberblue — Listening
Published: 2013-06-18 23:45:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 4509; Favourites: 190; Downloads: 100
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Description
More typography fun.
It is referenced from several different Bible verses. I'm trying to make an effort to do little, quick pieces just for fun. It helps keep me creative and refreshed as I work on larger projects. This is a quote from a song from one of my favorite bands "The Listening" [link] This was created in Illustrator. The texture is from [link] 
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. - Romans 3:10 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. - Romans 5:8 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved ... For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” - Romans 10:9-10, and 13
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” - Matthew 7:21 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. - Romans 5:1 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. - Romans 8:38-39
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Comments: 102
Thank you for sharing God's word. However, I feel I have to make a correction to your fourth bullet point, if you'll allow me.
You included this verse yourself, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 7:21
So, simply calling on God's name doesn't save us. (The end of the verse explains that evidence of salvation is doing the will of the Father). Romans 10:14 starts, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?" implying that we have to believe first (which is what saves us) in order to call on him in truth. This shows that the confession is a symptom of belief, simply showing that we do believe, and is not required for salvation because:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" - Ephesians 2:8
Confession of the mouth is a work, and we are not saved by works. We are saved by faith alone. If confession was truly needed to be saved, it would be included every other time salvation was preached in the Bible. What is always there when salvation is preached? A need for belief. Because all we have to do is believe. Jesus did the rest.
If we had to confess with our mouth, how would a mute person or someone who is facially disfigured be saved?
Lastly, thinking that we have to confess with our mouth puts a reliance on our selves to do something in order to receive salvation, which takes the focus away from Jesus and can leave people questioning their salvation based up whether or not they "confessed" right.
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Hello
Have a great day. Many blessings in Jesus!
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Alright, thanks for reading my comment.
God bless you too and have a nice day. ^_^
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I heard those words and I want to listen to what they have to say.
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God bless you for being a witness of his Word!
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Many blessings in Jesus to you too!!!
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That means a lot, thanks!
I got a kick out of your name, lol! Nice 
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my multiple personalities are bit like the three stooges (j/k 
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I think it was brilliant the way you put the letter "U" together.
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thanks 
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Nice.
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I guess mean its always a part of me.. raised that way, but I have expanded upon my Christian beliefs to include others
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Interesting. I don't understand how that works? Christianity is an all or nothing kinda thing.
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Just to quickly add, it says in the bible that nothing inside of it is a lie.
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I am an 'exceptional' person, I spose (as in I am an exception.. not that I am awesome, cuz I am nowhere near awesome)... You are right, for a true Christian.. it is the very point.. to give all, it is the very definition of 'faith'..
Actually I think my family is Lutheran.. So I am protestant, right?.. but I have adopted a more Agnostic view over the years I guess.. But I value my roots, and I value Christianity, even though I am more of an Agnostic.. I love the teachings.. For that matter, have you ever heard of the musical group "Matisyahu"? He does like a rap reggae type of music with Hasidic Jewish lessons in there somehow.. and while I don't agree with all what they say either.. I really love it.. it's goodness. And that makes me warm and fuzzy inside. Judaism and Christianity sprouted from similar roots.. and actually, even Islam, to my understanding.. all three cross paths, share prophets, etc... It is all interesting to me
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There are good things that can be learned from most religions. But what do you do with Jesus' statement that He is the only way?
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I don't know.. I don't like to be contrarian with other people's beliefs (I have debated with people before in my youth, it isn't really the right thing to do.. tho I intended no disrespect when I was doin it.. they felt disrespected)
I could go on for awhile about what I think about religion, and believe me that you wouldn't want to hear or read it... however, how I rationalized my exception in that most of the writings and accounts were made second or third hand.. very few eye witness accounts from my understanding. So it isn't even 100% to me that he even said that... but then, why wouldn't he? It wouldn't make any sense if he didn't feel or know that to be the truth..
Every religion has a prophet claiming similar things, so its hard for me to except any one over the other. But, take into account I have never read the bible or any of these books, and only attented sunday school until I was mb 7. My understand is vague and second or third hand at best on top of that... I value the values.. find faith to be a powerful thing.. but it isn't something a wretch like myself is capable of possessing.. Regardless, I still would follow him first.. so that's gotta count for something. I certainly love him... I still regard him as 'the only' true 'way' I spose. Although I really love eastern philosophy (Japan - Shinto, and Buddhism too) But it is more symbolic for me than literal. I don't really believe in the supernatural, which is what I call anything I have no tangible hand-held or visual proof of... This is a really loaded question you know.. no short answer (unless you are a person of the faith like yourself)
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How can you love Him if you don't really know Him? I recommend that you give the Bible a read.
I'm telling you this out of concern. I'm not trying to debate, just trying to encourage you to seek answers and really know what you believe, and why you believe it.
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PS: I should add that it isn't rude or disrespectful of you, in my opinion, to share YOUR beliefs, because they aren't solely "yours"... a majority of people share them with you. But mine are nothing more than opinions or conjecture.. That's the difference between 'knowing what and why' and being a damned skeptic
PSS: I don't mean to blow-up your comments section on this deviation. Feel free to Hide any or all of my comments
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I hear you.. As little as I do understand, I view him as one of the most 'righteous' individuals ever to live. Something rubbed off when I was little, but I tend to live by the creed of loving all things living, and I go so far as to respect all things that exist.. Deface or destroy an inanimate thing, and you alter or eliminate its existence. I feel guilty when I break something, or step on a bug for instance. I tread very softly in this world. My empathy goes that far. I respect him, and love him above most, because he as I understand was extremely compassionate, and I believe if everyone could truly live like he did, the world would be without strife.. Even faithful people fail to practice what they worship.
What I meant was that I wasn't going to disrespect you by attempting to debate. That goes along with my tread softly policy. I respect all beliefs, attempting to alter them or taint them even accidentally is defacing them. I always try to keep an open mind to be able to understand anyone, who wants understanding. A debate would consist of directly addressing whether or not there is an after life or god, and I feel it is disrespectful of me from my experience to share my 'beliefs' on such things.
Reading the bible is on my bucket list. I will do it when the time is right, the time will present itself. If I should die before, and be condemned for not excepting the faith and vows and so on.. I suppose it would be seen in hindsight as a foolish risk 
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I respect people's choice to choose what they will believe. But it is my responsibility as a loving person to warn someone when they are in error. I completely disagree with the view that all beliefs are correct. Several beliefs contradict each other, so they can't all be correct. If they aren't all correct, then we should do our part to find the one that is correct. And as loving caring people we should share the truth with others.
It is a foolish risk. Why gamble with something so precious? This is a very serious matter. I feel terrible grief for the people that have already died and are thinking "If only...I wish I had..." but it's too late for them. They are suffering and that breaks my heart. But I can't force you to do anything, obviously it is your choice. Perhaps in the midst of your chaos you can find a brief moment to ask God to reveal Himself to you. Then see what happens.
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Thanks.. I do need a prayer
How do you ask for God to reveal Himself? Doesn't it have to come from a place of faith and sincerity, and not skepticism?
You know one thing that has always bothered me about Christianity? You can sin your whole life, lie cheat steal murder and worse... accept Jesus as your savoir, and all of that can be forgiven, right? But someone can live a life of virtue, never cheat, or steal, always generous and compassionate, but if you don't accept Jesus, you are condemned to hell... To me, THAT is the contradiction. Correct me if I am wrong.. but even the most hardened criminal has a chance at salvation, right? Not all should be forgiven... I suppose if a hardened criminal or serial killer can see the wrong of their ways and pray forgiveness.. I suppose there is something redeemable in that.. But good people should never be condemned.. that I think is silly. I'm not all that good of a person.. but I think I have several virtues nailed down pretty good.. I will probably always have a soft spot for vice though.. guilty pleasures... Idk, I definitely need to read the good book to understand how redemption and salvation works. From life, I am getting pretty comfortable with suffering. The only thing that truly would scare me, is non-existence.. And I already expect that.. Hell would be (un)pleasant surprise, but still an improvement over nothingness.. I guess they will make me wish for non-existence.. pain and suffering is something you can get use to, if there is no threat of that pain and suffering causing non-existence..
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Then I will keep praying for you. 
Well, yes. If you are going to ask God to reveal Himself, you would have to sincerely mean it.
Have you ever met a person who never sinned? I haven't. They don't exist! Jesus is the only One who never sinned. Everyone else at some point has sinned, and I can confidently say that even the most generous and compassionate people still sin.
The Bible teaches that if we have broken even just 1 of God's commandments then we are guilty. "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." James 2:10. One person isn't worse than another. Compared to a Holy and perfect God, one sin is not worse than another, they all have the same eternal consequence in the end. Because everyone has sinned that means that all of us fall short of God's perfect standard. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. "Really good" isn't good enough. You have to be perfect if you want to get to heaven on your own merits.
The Bible says a lot about Hell. It is torture, and it is forever:
" in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:12
"And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into the fiery hell."" Matthew 18:9
"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41
"And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matthew 25:46
"And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Revelation 20:10
"And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15
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Thanks
So basically, an infant baby, guilty of original sin, is just as guilty as Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Hitler, Gary Ridgeway (on and on... I'm sure there are people even more wicked than the one's I mentions, those just come to mind)..
its a tough thing to rationalize for me. I don't see why a baby should be damned if it dies at birth or in the womb for example.. I've always understood this about Christianity.. I spose it is probably similar in other religions? Aren't Judaism and Islam based on similar values? They just don't recognize Jesus the same way.. Why don't I owe each book for each religion at least SOME kind of credence as well?
God is one tough customer.. Perfection to me isn't as beautiful as something flawed.. but then I am not the judge of what is truly divine, He is... so I am told.. There is something very profound in that, I spose.. I think my compassion to flaws, and my ability to see beauty in things that aren't perfect.. I think that is depth.. Thinking YOU know what is better, better than any other person is the start of the ego. Egos are destructive. Acknowledging only "His will" is the easiest way to put your mind over matter.. I have always found that to be true too.. Any faith provides this, to put something bigger than yourself ahead of yourself, provides clarity free of the contamination of one's ego.. I just can't stop asking questions, and I think questions are important to ask.. However, ignorance was truly bliss.. Learning about the world only strips away innocence one layer at a time.. Worldliness is also a sin, isn't it?
One thing you can still say about hell.. either way, you get eternal 'life'.. a win-win, if all you truly fear is not existing. I know that as much as I might think a person or soul will get use to any amount of pain eventually if it doesn't result in demise.. I am sure the old devil has figured out ways to make even the most hardened individual wish they had opted for salvation. At least that is the moral of the story.
Anyway, love discussing this topic... all of those quotes you listed are very familiar to me too.. amazing since I never read the bible.. I just have heard them all so many times. Can't recite them from heart, but I recognize them.. and they are imprinted in my mind..
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The baby situation is a reasonable question. I don't know that God condemns the unborn or infants. The Bible says something about the "age of accountability" that God will not condemn children that are not old enough to make a conscious choice to choose God. One thing I do know, when we die and are on that side of eternity, we will say "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments." Revelation 16:7
Judaism and Islam had a similar beginning to Christianity, but then they changed things. The Bible explains this. They have lots of similarities. But the real critical issues (like who God is, who Jesus is, etc.) they are different. No, personally I don't believe that all religious books should get the same credence. If they contradict each other then not all of them are true. It is our duty to find the truth and follow that 100%. The ones that are not true should be ignored, it makes no sense to pay attention to them.
The truth in the Bible and Christianity are not MY opinions, it's not ME saying that I know what is better. I'm simply recognizing what God says is better. The Bible has proved itself to be true. There is historical, archeological, and prophetic evidence that prove the Bible is reliable. Thus I believe what the Bible says. Other religious books to not have this proof.
I suppose you are right. I guess that existing is better than not existing. But if I have the choice of existing in a constant state of isolation and torment, or a constant state of bliss with loved ones...well that is not a tough decision at all. And I don't see why it is worth gambling with.
Another verse that just came to mind is Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter."
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I enjoy reading these.. and I am comforted either way, whether I got to hell or heaven.. either way it is existence.. Like Matthew 7:21 say though.. or implies.. I (and anyone) need to accept this 'truth' with all our heart, not just out of fear of the unknown.. So.. unfortunately, I will need my own 'revelation' before I have any chance..
Interesting thing you said "But if I have the choice of existing in a constant state of isolation and torment, or a constant state of bliss with loved ones..." That is the exact chaos I am living in now.. Isolation and torment.. Loved ones have mostly all died in the past 10 years.. I am down to a handful of them, and I am so tormented, I am unable to even really enjoy what little time I still have with them.. It is truly torture. I feel like I am already burning in hell.. There is much more to the chaos and torment, but this is brought to mind when you said that that way.. And my brother made a comment to me about my isolation that was similar the other day.. He prefers company to isolation.. while I find company to be a burden.. Which in my understanding, if I were living 'Gods Will' all these years, it would have played out much different.
Every religion must have claims to archeological evidence don't they? I mean, a muslim or a jewish person will defend there religions just as you believe in the evidence of Christianity.. I just struggle with that as an Agnostic. Everyone who believes in their respective religion believes it to be just a true, and can site the evidence. At least I imagine.. I have only heard the evidence of Christianity being from the West. There was a muslim scholar on Fox news the other day who has an interesting book about jesus from an archeological POV... Might be an interesting book
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I sense that you aren't really taking this seriously. There is no sense of urgency in you.
To be honest, without a relationship with Jesus this life is as close to heaven as you will get, Hell is much worse.
Again, it grieves my heart to hear about your suffering. I don't know how your life would have played out if you lived in God's will. Bad things happen to good people too, Christian or not. In all honesty, I worship God because He is God and worthy of my adoration and obedience. I don't worship Him so that I can have a better life. I worship Him because He deserves it. Because His holiness demands a response and my rational mind can't help but do what logically makes sense. I adore Him as best I can, even though I've gone through suffering, those were the times when His love was the sweetest. I pray for you each time we exchange messages. I pray that God will make your heart willing and open your eyes. Who knows, maybe that is why our paths crossed. I don't believe in coincidence.
Well, do they? Have you looked into it? Do they have evidence that is reliable to back them up? Or do you rely on the opinions of others?
I know missionaries that go into 3rd world countries and they see the miracles of God on a regular basis. And I mean real supernatural miracles. God stopping bullets, angels with flaming swords protecting the helpless, multiplied food in cabinets that were empty, etc. Sadly we don't see that much in the West. Probably because of our pride and resistance to God. I have a personal friend who was going to kill herself...but before she did God gave her a revelation of Himself and she suddenly knew all about Christianity, the Bible, Jesus, the Holy Spirit...even though she didn't know nothing about it before.
I'm very confidant in my research that the Bible was written first (most of which is Jewish literature by the way) the Quran was written later. The Old Testament Pentateuch was written thousands of years before CE.
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Also, thank you for your prayers, and I apologize for my lack of urgency.. I mean no offense.. its just due to my specific perception of reality
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I'm sorry you feel like I'm not taking this seriously... we have two different perceptions of reality, mine is pretty unique to myself (but not completely.. some people have similar beliefs to mine) and yours is a common perception. The MOST common perception actually, according to the interweb "with 2 billion adherents".. I enjoy learning about my roots.. about Christianity.. I could literally talk about the subject all day... in the right setting, but I'm not going to instantaneously adhere to it. It comes down to semantics which my intentions always get lost in..
Maybe our paths crossed in order for you to have the opportunity to enlighten me further (an opportunity and not an obligation).. and maybe it was God's plan in the first place, that I walk this planet disillusioned until a certain time. How can we know?
I understand the Quran was written around 600AD (CE).. I am interested about the earliest roots of Christianity.. I didn't really know it had roots thousands of years before Christ.. but my understanding is pretty limited to the History Channel. I've heard all three religions can trace their roots to Zoroastrianism (6th century BCE).. but again very limited knowledge on the topic. I do think that all three religions worship the same god, who they all refer to as separate entities, and they argue about the specific details, such as prophets and events.. and their regards of Jesus' claim to be the son of god. I also understand how inflammatory that statement might be to you (that I think all three religions worship the same God under different names.. but chalk my perception up to ignorance) I also understand that to Christians it isn't a "claim" of Jesus' but THE Truth.
It's those miracles that have cemented Christianity over the years, and some of those are the hardest things to explain without God.. It is part of why it has so many followers.. but also owes Western ambitions. But behind every humanitarian mission to save souls and spread the teachings of Jesus, has come greedy Capitalistic Ambition of a few people at the top rankings of society, what is now refered to as the 1%.. That is sad. Greed has been convenient vessel, because few trips to foreign lands back in the early days were possible without funding. The Conquistadors in South America for example.
Anyway, I hope you won't take me the wrong way.. I tried to circumnavigate the misperception when we started conversing, but I am fairly ineffective at communication. It is maybe insulting that I refer to Christianity as a "topic".. that to you downplays the full gravity of it. But understand that I am not much different that speaking to a Muslim or a Jew or a Buddhist or someone of another faith.. because our perceptions of reality are very different. I have accepted the term "Agnostic" to best describe my 'beliefs', due mostly in part to a post shared with on facebook (before which I never gave the term much thought), but after investigating the term.. it is pretty accurate in describing my faith or lack thereof.
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In the discussion of the existence God I think it is easy to leave out the part about love. I talk to people a lot(especially on DeviantArt) about God's laws. Mostly because they ask me. And I find myself forgetting the purpose of the laws. I find myself forgetting the main point, which is love. The word "love" is used over 300 times in the Bible. The Bible is full of descriptions of God's love toward us. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. All of the Old Testament law and prophets is summed up in that. Following the law is a side issue, really God simply wants our hearts.
But, love manifests itself with actions. So I guess that is how everything ties in together.
Yes, I've been fascinated with the history of Christianity. Jews and Christians really worship the same God, just in a different way (and Jews don't recognize Jesus as God but Christians do.) I've seen the "Dead Sea" scrolls with my own eyes. They are copies of the Old Testament written on parchment (or whatever paper they had) and leather I think. Very very old. The first 5 books of the Bible are called the "Pentateuch" and that was the scriptures that the original Jews read waaaaaaay before Jesus' time. So I know that Jews and Christians at least have that in common. 
No worries. 
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That is it in a nutshell.. I haven't completely rejected God.. but to someone who has completely accepted God, that's as good as complete rejection isn't it?
I think love is the most important thing anyway.. Compassion and empathy are things I think I was born with and raised with anyway, but also came from my early background with religion probably. Thing is, not everyone needs MY help or actions.. sometimes the best action is to walk away, and let more capable philanthropic individuals act. So I don't feel bad that I stand idle most of the time..
The history of it is very interesting... I hope to learn more as I go
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Thanks for stopping by.
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