Cross Of Gold

Michael W. Smith writes "Cross Of Gold" as a direct question aimed at casual faith rather than a worship song about the cross itself — "tell me why you wear your cross of gold... is it a flame, is it a passion, or is it a game, religion in fashion?" The song never answers for the listener; it just keeps circling the same uncomfortable question about whether the symbol means anything.

The spoken bridge makes the contrast explicit: "for some it's simply something to wear around your neck, just a chain... it means a lot more than that to me." That gap is exactly what Galatians 6:14 and 1 Corinthians 1:18 are both getting at — a cross that's either the thing someone boasts in above everything else, or foolishness dressed up as jewelry. Smith doesn't resolve which one the listener's cross is; he just makes it impossible to wear one through the song without answering the question privately.