That Cross

James addresses the subject of consistency in the Christian life...the faith in our heart, what we say
we believe, will be authenticated by how we act. In James 2, we see these verses:
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

What's in your heart, I believe, will eventually spill out - for instance, Jesus said that the mouth would speak what's in the heart.  And, our inward relationship with God will determine the course of our outward expression of Him - and if we don't have the right relationship with Him inside, then we can end up trying to be religious without the power of the Spirit.  And, what we attempt to project to those around us about our faith should accurately reflect what's He is doing inside.

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Jesus spoke out strongly about hypocrisy - which can mean saying or indicating one thing, but doing another. I would also submit that would include acting in a manner that does not reflect what's in the heart.  In Matthew 15, we can read:
7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
8 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "

Could an outward expression of faith, such as a cross around the neck, make you appear more devout?  Well, there's one researcher that believes that this adornment may cause you to at least seem more trustworthy.

Get this, according to ChristianHeadlines.com, there's a researcher named Eleanor Power, described as "an evolutionary anthropologist and Omidyar Postdoctoral Fellow at the Sante Fe Institute."  The story says:

In an article for the Evolution Institute, Power shares her experience joining pilgrims where she lives in New Mexico as they celebrate the lead-up to Holy week.

Power was astounded to find that, although those participating in the religious pilgrimage, carrying crosses and “fulfilling vows and seeking blessings at the pilgrimage site,” were energized and invested in their pilgrimage, she herself was exhausted after walking and came home sore and tired. She concluded that the pilgrims’ faith gave them a supernatural strength which she didn’t possess.

The story references a piece at ChristianToday.com, which contains a link to Power's summary at the Evolution Institute website.   Power writes:

“Experimental studies have found, for example, that we see people as more trustworthy if they show signs of membership to a religious community (say, a necklace with a cross), or adhere to religious dietary requirements (say, eating halal). Only those who are truly committed to the religious group and its beliefs, we seem to reason, will be willing to make such investments. They must be trustworthy..."

The ChristianToday.com article also states that Power "...found that those who worship regularly at a church or temple and those who undertake dramatic acts of devotion were seen by their peers as more devout," and she added, "But even more was being associated with such religious villagers: they were also seen as having a good work ethic, giving good advice, being generous, and having good character."  This proceeded from two years of living in South India observing Hindus, Catholics, and Protestants.

She also pays close attention to the actions of young people, and writes, "Those very things that can make religion seem particularly inscrutable for some may actually be what make it such an enduring and resilient part of the cultures of the world."

So, today, we're thinking about outward expression of an inward faith.  When I saw this story, I thought about a song that Michael W. Smith recorded some time ago, in which he states:

What's your line
Tell me why you wear your cross of gold
State of mind
Or does it find a way into your soul*

(*-from AZLyrics.com)

Smitty and fellow songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, who, by the way, co-wrote the Tony-nominated Broadway musical, Something Rotten!, also penned these words:

For some it's simply something
To wear around your neck
Just a chain, jewelry
It's a decoration, it's an icon, a proclamation
An icon of what
For some it's simply something
To wear around your neck, just a chain
It means a lot more than that to me

I think this really illustrates a truth that God's concern is about the inward work of the heart, not the outward appearance.   I think of His words to the prophet Samuel as he evaluated the sons of Jesse regarding who would be the next king of Israel.  The choice was not based on how these men looked, but on the heart, which qualified David for the throne.

But, as this evolutionary anthropologist points out - there is an expectation of devotion from one's outward appearance.  The cross around the neck may suggest that one is more trustworthy, but it is our responsibility to back up the outward expression.  If we are taking part in devout "religious" acts, we have to be careful that they reflect who we are on the inside.  Jesus saved some of His choicest words for those He deemed to be hypocrites.  And, what's inside, if we are not living with pure intentions, may spill out in times when we're not exactly thinking about it.

But, remember, it's not the outward expression that saves - it's the inward, transformative work of the Spirit of God.  We are saved by faith, and from that deeply-held faith, our works will follow.  The works will not save us, but they do indicate what is in our hearts, and the presence of the cleansing power of Jesus in our hearts.  Our surrender to Him that will result in the fruit of the Spirit being expressed.