Free,
The OT is rife with references to images and idols. The indication being that images and idols are TWO SEPARATE 'things'. An image is NOTHING more or less than a symbol of something made by the hand of man. Often times, it is obvious, (to me), that we were warned NOT to place any credence in those images made by the goldsmiths or the silversmiths PERIOD.
And there is a BIG difference in God specifically commanding the making of an individual item or a group of items and man choosing to do so on his OWN, WITHOUT specific instructions of God.
I guess to those that are unable to 'see' the significance of this it is irrelevant to them. I have simply tried to point out that the cross is NO different than ANY other image. Christ NEVER commanded us to carve crosses and use them as a symbol of His death or resurrection. Neither did His apostles. The early Church used NO such symbols to represent Christ. There has been evidence of signs left behind on messages and such, but they certainly didn't wear them around their necks or have jewelry of ANY kind made in their likeness.
Jewelry is VANITY to start with. Sorry jewelry wearers. Almost EVERY reference to jewelry in the Bible takes on a negative connotation. We are warned to build our treasures in heaven NOT here on earth. I find it hard to believe that anyone would deny that jewelry is 'treasure' of sorts if NOT OUTRIGHT.
As I have offered previous, crosses were another ROMAN creation and the purpose behind them seems to ridicule rather than honor our Savior. It proves NOTHING as far as one wearing it being a 'Christian'. And to put ones 'faith' in a 'graven' image is NOTHING short of idolatry. That hammered out by the hands of men or carved by the hand of man IS A GRAVEN image. Using it to represent God or Christ is to 'bow down' to this image. Doesn't really take a rocket scientist to figure this one out.
But, as the Bible states, there will be those that through their wisdom will be left barren of the truth. There is ABSOLUTELY NO reason to believe that Christ would be honored by the creating or wearing a cross as jewelry, OTHER than being taught that by MEN rather than God or Christ.
And, as stated by those that disagreed with my statements themselves, "It's NOT the MEANS of Christs life or death that matters, but the death itself". To use the image of a pagan people's instrument of torture and death to signify the cleansing grace of Christ's death could NOT possibly signify ANYTHING other than the promotion of this 'image' and the people that employed it.
I personally would hesitate to offer this 'part' of the remembrance of Christ in a image or idol that I would wear around my neck. I realize that there are MANY that ignore MOST of what Christ would have them do or NOT do with their lives for their OWN selfish pleasures. Nothing new. This has happened almost since the beginning of man and will continue until Christ's return. But remember folks, when you read the OT, that the Jews were punished for their idols and images over and over again. Sometimes their numbers were all but decimated and the few remaining were left slaves for long periods of time.
You say that this 'cross' is different. I agree. It's probably hundreds of times WORSE to throw this in God or Christs' face than worshiping a golden calf. That so many seem oblivious to this is absolutely amazing to me. But then I see how they dress in the churches and they 'think' to themselves and each other that 'this' is OK too.
So, to end this I will do so with two questions: What is the difference in worshiping an idol or using an idol to symbolize that which we worship? Are not BOTH things MADE BY THE HANDS OF MEN, regardless of how one may try to justify them?
