Wearing crosses??

[Theophorus]

The irony here is that those who are "publicans" display the cross brazenly, and many who are not, question their worthiness to do so. Also , some would condemn kissing a cross in reverence, but not condemn someone displaying it in a lewd manner, or at least not drawing the connection.
Also, in the context of the OP if I understand it, what about T-shirts, and bumperstickers, and decals etc. Some do not depict a cross ( many do), but many depict the word of God. Some even imply that they are the word of God but are not.

The symbol of the cross is a reality for some, a wish for others, a shame for many, and hated by the advesary.

Think of it this way, if you hated the Lord would you want to see crosses, would you want to mock them, or would be happy if none were present?

 

[SumTinWong]

LOL!!

I think I would actually enjoy it if you visited my church. (As long as you promise to leave the termites at home).

I probably wood. Get it it, I probably wood...LOL

 

[Maeyken]

lol UncleBud... very funny

As for wearing crosses, I've always worn one since I've been baptized. I got one as a gift from a friend of the family, and now I wear a different one I bought, since the first one the chain broke multiple times until I just gave up wearing it. The one I wear now has lasted for years.

I wear it as a personal reminder to keep God first in my life. The only other jewelry I wear is a bracelet that my boyfriend gave me for our 6mo. anniversary. I wear it cuz he gave it to me. (oh, and a medic alert bracelet, but that is more functional...) So ya... basically I just wear jewelry as a reminder, not just cuz it's pretty or whatnot. I can't be bothered with wearing something that doesn't mean anything!

 

[FreeSpiritFaith]

I believe that crosses are a good form of protection from some forces and also a testimony of your faith. I find them to be a great comfort, too.

 

[Ave Maria]

I also see it as a personal choice. I fail to understand why some Christians may or may not object to it though. Could someone please care to explain?

 

[Ave Maria]

I believe that crosses are a good form of protection from some forces and also a testimony of your faith. I find them to be a great comfort, too.

Really? That's cool. How do you feel that they protect you from some forces if you don't mind explaining?

 

[Redguard]

I'm not saying that this is MY personal feeling...

But I remember when the whole WWJD bracelet fad was going on. Our pastor said,

"If you need to wear a bracelet in order to reminded about what Jesus would do, then some of you really need to be reading your Bibles and paying attention in church more often."

A lot of people felt burned when he said that. He then continued to say this about people who feel that they need to wear a cross in order to be reminded of Jesus' sacrifice.

He said that these reminders should be worn on our hearts, and not in jewelry or accessories.

 

[Ave Maria]

I'm not saying that this is MY personal feeling...

But I remember when the whole WWJD bracelet fad was going on. Our pastor said,

"If you need to wear a bracelet in order to reminded about what Jesus would do, then some of you really need to be reading your Bibles and paying attention in church more often."

A lot of people felt burned when he said that. He then continued to say this about people who feel that they need to wear a cross in order to be reminded of Jesus' sacrifice.

He said that these reminders should be worn on our hearts, and not in jewelry or accessories.

Yeah, that pastor seems just a little rude in making those comments if you ask me. Wearing religious jewelry is a personal decision. It seems to me like his comments more than likely caused division rather than unity.

 

[feo]

He said that these reminders should be worn on our hearts, and not in jewelry or accessories.

They should be worn in our hearts- I dont disagree with him.

But I still fail to see the connection between that and... "wearing a cross is wrong"

 

[puriteen18]

Why not?

Crucifixes are graven images.

Were you convicted because of the material, or because you were going for the 'stylish' look?

Too much consideration of our appearance is vanity.


These are two different sins. That was my point; there are many reasons why one should be cautious in wearing crosses.

 

[puriteen18]

I believe that crosses are a good form of protection from some forces and also a testimony of your faith. I find them to be a great comfort, too.

Not to get on your case, just a cautionary question and warning:

Do you not fear that this is indeed a fetish?

It is God that protects His children, you need no ornament made by man.

There is no more power in a pewter cross than in a penny.

I used to suffer from fetishism; it is unbiblical, a breach of the 2nd commandment.

 

[Ave Maria]

Crucifixes are graven images.

Actually, a graven image was an idol like a little statue of a god that Pagans worshipped. I suppose you are talking about Exodus 20:4-6?

[bible]Exodus 20:4-6[/bible]

Here is the same passage in the Holman Christian Standard Bible, a highly accurate and fairly new Bible translation:

(HCSB)Exodus 20:4-6 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers' sin, to the third and fourth [generations] of those who hate Me, but showing faithful love to a thousand [generations] of those who love Me and keep My commands.

Too much consideration of our appearance is vanity.

Yes, it can be. But I don't see how someone is giving too much consideration to their appearance by wearing a necklace.

These are two different sins. That was my point; there are many reasons why one should be cautious in wearing crosses.

What are your other reasons if you don't mind me asking?

 

[feo]

Too much consideration of our appearance is vanity.

Yes but how is wearing one "too much" consideration? I do have some consideration of my appearance... but it has to do more with my hair, clothing, and how often I shower. Vanity? I dont really think so.

Actually, a graven image was an idol like a little statue of a god that Pagans worshipped. I suppose you are talking about Exodus 20:4-6? ...

haha Holly ya beat me to it. Good post, BTW. I'm glad you were able to get to it before me!

 

[LostnFound]

I LOVE the cross I wear. It is a cheap little gold-plated number I tripped over at Walmart. It is a cross within a cross, very simple. It is weather worn, and the plating has mostly flaked off. Adds to the charm, in my opinion. It helps remind me to be In Christ.

I have seen so many beautiful crosses out there, and have been tempted to buy a few, but then, I think that the cross I wear should be a reflection of my faith. Christ would have no use for all the diamonds and gold and filigree, and CERTAINLY not for the bling-bling so many of the kids are wearing today.

My cross is just a symbol of my faith. Many have commented on it and like it. But, it is only a man-made symbol...tool, if you will. I will be sad when it wears out (rubbing the chain is making it very thin on top), but I'm sure that I will find another one day, to take it's place. In the meantime, I know that my faith and my Father will never wear thin!

 

[puriteen18]

Actually, a graven image was an idol like a little statue of a god that Pagans worshipped. I suppose you are talking about Exodus 20:4-6?

A graven image is just that a graven image. A crucifix is a graven image. It is meant to represent God. And even if you do consider that to only be speaking of ancient pagan idols, there are other verses.

Leviticus, though not speaking of religious jewelry directly, many times speaks against susperstitions:observing times and omens.

We are not to be a superstitious people. We are to trust in God alone.

We are living under the New Covenant. Things which were consealed in the old are now revealed.

The ceremonial law is no more effect because we know the Truth revealed. It is not hidden. Why must we add fetishes to our pure faith?

We have God the Father through God the Son and by God the Spirit. Why do we need a man-make made peice of medal.

What is the difference from putting hope in a medal cross, a rabbit's foot, or a bronze idol? We should only hope in God, anything else is an idol.

Yes, it can be. But I don't see how someone is giving too much consideration to their appearance by wearing a necklace.

I was not speak of specifically crosses here, but of adorning the body. Actually, the example I gave (post #12) was about my own sin of vanity with a hemp bracelet.

What are your other reasons if you don't mind me asking?

Please return to earlier in this thread and read post #12. In it I exlained the reasoning.

Just to clarify my opinion, I do not think the sin is in the wearing of a cross. I myself wear a small pewter medalion with a cross on it.

 

[puriteen18]

I LOVE the cross I wear. It is a cheap little gold-plated number I tripped over at Walmart. It is a cross within a cross, very simple. It is weather worn, and the plating has mostly flaked off. Adds to the charm, in my opinion. It helps remind me to be In Christ.

I have seen so many beautiful crosses out there, and have been tempted to buy a few, but then, I think that the cross I wear should be a reflection of my faith. Christ would have no use for all the diamonds and gold and filigree, and CERTAINLY not for the bling-bling so many of the kids are wearing today.

My cross is just a symbol of my faith. Many have commented on it and like it. But, it is only a man-made symbol...tool, if you will. I will be sad when it wears out (rubbing the chain is making it very thin on top), but I'm sure that I will find another one day, to take it's place. In the meantime, I know that my faith and my Father will never wear thin!

Great post!!! Much truth!!!

 

[puriteen18]

Yes but how is wearing one "too much" consideration? I do have some consideration of my appearance... but it has to do more with my hair, clothing, and how often I shower. Vanity? I dont really think so.

I was not specifically speaking of crosses here. Please check post #12 in this thread.

 

[feo]

A graven image is just that a graven image. A crucifix is a graven image. It is meant to represent God. And even if you do consider that to only be speaking of ancient pagan idols, there are other verses.

A cross with Jesus represents God, but a cross without Jesus on it does not represent God?

 

[puriteen18]

A cross with Jesus represents God, but a cross without Jesus on it does not represent God?

It is the "jesus", the corpas, which, yes, is intended to represent God.

 

[SonOfThunder]

I wonder if you have considered that many who wear the cross are not christian, that also many who wear them do not show it by their behaviour. I would worry that the 'banner' they wear will highlight to the world that Christianity is not working and so therefore is Hypocritical.

Just a thought.

Exodus 20:4-6
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exodus 20:4-6
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me


James