Does God Require Strict Obedience, Or Does He Judge Us By Our Intentions?

Does God Require Strict Obedience, Or Does He Judge Us By Our Intentions?
Some of us have been spreading the word about the thoroughly pagan origins of Christmas, and the good reasons why Christians shouldn’t celebrate it. I understand many Christians have not yet heard these reasons . . . but some have and it is them that I am addressing.

There is an argument that is repeatedly put forth. It goes something like this: I’m celebrating Christmas for the glory of God . . . I’m celebrating Jesus’ birth (even though it wasn’t Dec. 25th) . . . I’m not doing anything wrong . . . God knows my heart . . . He understands.

Let me share six verses of Scripture, because there is a lesson here–for those who have ‘eyes to see’ and ‘ears to hear’.

‘ . . . but Cain was a tiller of the ground.And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.’ (Genesis 4:2-8)

There is a whole sermon here, but let me make just a few points. This was before the time of Moses, before the Law was established. Abel and Cain lived before the law, as Abraham did, under (the) grace (of God). It was already established that God would send a Savior. It also seems evident that God had established the practice of animal sacrifices for those who followed Him.

Cain was a farmer. I am a gardener. I can understand how Cain loved what he did, and was proud of what he produced. When he gave God an offering from what he had grown, he probably gave Him his best. He may have even done it with a heart full of genuine love for God. But He didn’t obey God–God required a blood sacrifice.

Despite his good intentions, Cain disobeyed. He did what he thought best, rather than what God wanted. He probably believed that the ends justified the means. . . that when God saw what a wonderful offering he had prepared for Him, He would be quite impressed.

Notice Cain’s reaction, when God did not accept his offering: he became irate. He did not repent. He did not return again with the proper offering. He became irate, and he sulked. Resentment took root in his heart. Resentment towards God, and resentment towards Abel, who WAS obedient and obtained God’s favor. Even when God tried to correct his attitude, he persisted in his rebellion–yes, rebellion.

As God warned him, sin was lying at the door. For all appearances, it was only a short while later that what was brewing in Cain’s unrepentant heart led him to kill his brother. If someone would have stopped him, while he was on his way to make his offering to God, and would have prophesied to him that his plan wasn’t going to work out so well . . . and that he would end up killing his brother because of it . . . would he have shook his head at them in disbelief? He was riding high that day, full of pride and expectation that God would be persuaded to see things his way.

But God stepped on his toes. When he had given his sacrifice, He knew it was not what God wanted. Yet, I believe he was so proud of himself that he believed that God would like what he gave Him even better than what He asked for. When God didn’t accept it, his pride would not allow him to repent. Instead, he became angry.


It worries me when I see this kind of a response, from people who say they are Christians. Many of them, when they are presented with the truth about Christmas, act just as Cain did. They seem to have a similar way of thinking. They believe that they can decide HOW they will obey God, and God will accept what they do because He will see that their heart is good. (That is a WHOLE other topic . . . ) They may be right, but I REALLY BELIEVE they are sadly mistaken.


Hear what Samuel told Saul, after he didn’t quite do as God had commanded him:

‘And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to OBEY is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.’ (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

Wow, pretty harsh huh?

God often uses another (Christian) to give a warning. When someone gives us a warning, we should prayerfully consider it!

‘Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; . . . if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity . . . ‘ (Ezekiel 3:17,19)

For those who refuse to CONSIDER changing their ways about the celebration of Christmas . . . Christmas is no longer the issue. Such an attitude reveals a far greater issue . . . and this is what God sees when He looks into that heart: rebellion and stubbornness. Translated: witchcraft, iniquity and idolatry.  ( 1 Sam. 15:23)
(Are you still sure you want God to judge you by your heart, on this issue?)

Am I saying that no one should celebrate Christmas? I am saying that everyone should learn the roots of Christmas and then submit themselves to God to do HIS will–that means, surrender it to Him in prayer, having a willingness to do whatever He directs you to do.  Most of the ‘Christians’ who say it’s ok to celebrate it, won’t even do that.

By Susan Weeks