Christians (others welcome to answer), what thoughts come to your mind when you read this list?

Okay, you asked what I would add or take away based on how it made me felt, so.....

The problem I have with these sorts of affirmations--and I agree that it is a very encouraging affirmation, for those of Christian faith--is that it implies total validation only through the sharing of such faith.....and conversely invalidates those who do not have this faith.

Faith is a struggle, and I am not simply talking about religious faith; my biggest struggle(and it is something for me to admit this publicly, online) is faith in myself. While the sentiments expressed in the lines above are written with the aim to provide comfort, there is the subtle insinuation that there is no value outside of the parameters of the conviction of faith...religious faith.

See, religious faith is a subject much open to interpretation--every denomination has its interpretation of scripture, and each interpretation means that there is some exclusion by this interpretation. For example: does the list above apply to Gay Christians? Most fundamentalist Christians(most all Christians, in fact) would say *no*, and without any hesitation. While what is written above is intended for comfort, for those whose standing within the parameters of religious faith is uncertain, whether this is an uncertainty of self, or an uncertainty assigned by the mainstream religious thought of Christian belief, such lines do not provide comfort.

I can tell you that from my own experience, the lines above bring about memories of guilt, a feeling of not "measuring up". I never felt such a close connection to God, never felt his presence in my life, and this back in the days when I believed, when I was a Christian. I always felt that somehow I was denied what everyone else received as their due. These lines do not make me feel any comfort. There is really no point adding or taking away anything from them, either, as they are an endorsement for the mainstream, and the mainstream, I am convinced, will never accept such as myself.

Faith is a wonderful thing, and for those whose minds are untroubled by any thought outside the mainstream of religious faith, I am certain that the above lines are remarkable assurance, validation, and hope.

For someone like me, they feel rather like the motto of a club I have been excluded from.

I think questioning is very necessary, however, you cannot do it alone with the Bible unless you have expertise in the following areas: Linguistics/language Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Criticizing the Bible in English is a hallmark of critics, who must inevitably resort to one of several excuses: "The translators obviously thought this was good enough, so that settles it." It never occurs to them to ask why a certain translation choice was made, or to make a critical study of the word in question as needed. Literature Some people "read the Bible like a newspaper." That is absolutely the worst advice that can be given for reading any text that isn't a newspaper. The genres of the Bible include narrative, poetry, proverbial literature, wisdom discourse, a treaty (that's what Deuteronomy is, believe it or not!), legal codes, genealogies, biography (that is what the Gospels are!), personal letters and general letters, rhetoric (an art form in the ancient world), riposte, and apocalyptic. Textual criticism This is a specialized field of determining the original state of a text. Seek help from reliable sources.

As someone who is not Christian I find both good and somewhat questionable qualities in the list. As an example, "I cannot be separated from the love of God." I applaud this notion as in my own beliefs being cast out would truly be an unimaginable fate. Now, as far as questionable, an example "I have been bought with a price. I belong to God." I am assuming that this is a reference to Christs Crucifixion and the path to heaven through Him. In my eyes this sounds more like a plea bargain in a court than a relationship with God. I am in no way anti Christian and have an abiding respect for your beliefs, yet it also seems to me that there is a bit of a conundrum..."I have been justified"......."I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins." If one has been justified then why the need for forgiveness?..The list as it stands is quite inspiring to those of the Christian faith I'm sure, I merely question some of its veracity.

May the Gods bless and keep each one of you,

John

It gives me encouragement and reinforces the truth that He is a merciful, gracious, wise, and patient God. Aren't you glad He's so patient with us? Looking at some of the answers, I can see that some have negative feelings associated with our hope because of a lack of belief in God. It's true, our identity is found in Christ because he is our Creator, and apart from Him, there will always be a sense of being lost, confused, and inadequate to overcome the obstacles of this life.

I really like this one: "I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected." That statement tells me that we all have to begin somewhere. Every believer, before taking that step of faith and diving into a relationship with Christ, has stood in that place of separation from God. It can be overwhelming when we think of those areas that we struggle with and wonder "how on earth will I ever change?" That's the thing, it's not possible in our own power, but it is necessary that we give these struggles to God and know that He is strong enough to heal them in His way and in His timing. And that gives me hope, for myself as well as for those I know and love and am confident will come to know Him in the future.

In Christ, we are united to Him and no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:5-6); made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5); conformed to His image (Romans 8:29); free from condemnation and walking not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1), and part of the body of Christ with other believers (Romans 12:5). The believer now possesses a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19), and has been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3).

When we are in Christ, “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37) and can rejoice in our Savior, who makes all things possible! In Christ we are loved, forgiven, and promised salvation. In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, granted true meaning in life. What a wonderful Savior is Christ!

How it makes me feel is incredibly, incredibly blessed that the God of the Universe and the Creator of all things has Himself chosen ME, and to make life "easier" (which is relative, I know), He has freely given these things and more. When life gets difficult, as it does OFTEN, it really helps to be reminded of these truths - and they ARE truths which can never be taken away.

I'm sure that there are a lot more to be added, but I need to be leaving in a few minutes, so I will add one more thing that helps me personally whenever I'm in need of some hope:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.

Plans to give you a hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings.

No offense, but this is full of hubris.

Whoever wrote this and whoever believes this assumes too much. As you all said, God is absolute, so how can anyone predict his decisions, actions or plans? In the seminary, this is called turning God into Superman.

To understand real faith, you do not "assume" what God will and will not do.

If you act like a policeman, live as a policeman but never got a badge, does that make you a policeman?

As I said, hubris.

1Co 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1Co 13:2 And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

1Co 13:3 And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1Co 13:4 Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up,

1Co 13:5 Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil:

1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth:

1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1Co 13:8 Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void or tongues shall cease or knowledge shall be destroyed.

1Co 13:9 For we know in part: and we prophesy in part.

1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child.

1Co 13:12 We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known.

1Co 13:13 And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

Thank you for an uplifting post. This list makes me feel happy and grateful for the love given to me by God.

The one item which kind of stands out for me as odd is, "I am hidden with Christ in God." I'm not sure I agree that I'm "hidden." Instead I view it as "joined" with Christ or "perfected" by Christ in God.

I think I would add:

I'm safe and secure in God.

I always have someone to lean on in God.

I have not been given a spirit for fear but for strength, love and

a sound mind.