Can a symbol be used to identify Christians?
Question:
I thoroughly appreciate your congregation's work on the many articles and topics. I use them myself to continue learning and answer some of my questions about certain topics.
I do have a question regarding Christian symbolism.
I understand that we should not make graven images or symbols per the apostles' teachings. These material things convey no protection, nor should they be used as "avenues" to worship or pray to God. I have read your article on wearing crosses, and I agree that our actions are what are to be used to signify we are Christians. I also agree that it depends on why you wear the cross, making sure it is not the cross itself you are venerating or using to show you are a Christian. My question is: Can the chi-rho or other symbols still be used as decoration for Christians? Whether that is a piece of jewelry, a symbol on an article of clothing or item, or a church sign? I would reason that a common symbol to identify a place of refuge for Christians may allow people searching for truth to notice it and then dive into the truth in case they were never to actually meet someone in passing on a regular day.
Thank you again, brothers and sisters, for your work, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Answer:
In what way are you using this symbol differently? You said it could identify a Christian. Isn't that what people do with crosses? Does wearing a chi-rho or a cross actually make a person a Christian? The world is filled with hypocrites and scammers. As I said before, Jesus tells us to identify true followers by looking at the results of their deeds (Matthew 7:15-20). This is a better measure of a person's identity than some symbol.
Question:
Thank you for your reply.
What I am asking is if it wrong for a Christian to wear a chi-rho or cross, knowing it is just a piece of jewelry, but as a piece of clothing that can either remind them to be in a right state of mind, or be an opportunity for someone to ask them about Christ even if their actions show it.
Answer:
The Israelites wore tassels on their garments to remind them. "Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue. It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God" (Numbers 15:38-40).
However, Christians were not given such a command. The Word of God is written on our hearts. "You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" (II Corinthians 3:2-3). Our reminders come from reading and studying God's word. "This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles" (II Peter 3:1-2). A symbol has no content and so is inadequate for the job.
We don't need physical items to draw attention to ourselves. People ask us why because our behavior differs from that of the world. "Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
If someone wants to wear a chi-rho, it cannot serve any purpose besides decoration.
Response:
Thank you for your enlightening response. I am grateful you answered my questions.
