A friend recently told me that he wanted more courage to ask a question of many people he had seen come through his office who were all wearing crosses. He felt a curious tension that prompted his desire to know, “Is that a decoration your wearing or a declaration of your soul? Decoration or Declaration?
The Bible is full of men and women “declaring” the God they love, serve and obey. In biblical history, religious symbols meant something. They were a declaration of allegiance. In our North American culture today crosses are very much a decorative element. Last year, an ABC poll found that 83% of people in America claim that they are Christians. Decoration or Declaration?
To decorate means to look more attractive by adding extra items or images to it. I wonder how many of us are not declaring but decorating. The martyrs of our present day and days of old never viewed their faith as decoration but a life ending declaration of who they love and serve.
The cross is a polarizing symbol. Like a colorful collection of shotgun shells the cross forces the answer to the question of why was the world impacting life of Jesus lived? It visually confronts us all to deal with the claim that Jesus died, rose from the dead and is the Messiah. The Apostle Paul instructs us that declaration begins in the heart.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10.9
When we are convinced in the most inner part of our hearts that Jesus is who He claims to be. That he lived a sinless life, died a horrible death, victoriously rose and defeated death. Can you say that? The Psalms have many songs and poems of declaration that can be your own declaration check up. Read though them and ask yourself, “can I say that?” Even more appropriate…can you Declare that!
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. Psalm 89.2
Troy A Murphy 