The Mistake of King Saul: To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

In Jeremiah 10:2 as well as throughout the Holy Bible in many verses we are instructed “Do not learn the way of the heathen.” This is made very clear in the Old Testament scriptures. The reason why Christmas is so wrong is because all Christmas traditions brought into the “Church” are “ways of the heathen.” Changing the name of something, or the explanation for it does not change what it is. Man does not have the authority to add or to take away from the word of God, and when he attempts to do so, he does so to his own peril (Deuteronomy 12:32, 4:2, Revelation 22:18-19). We are not to do what seems right in our own eyes, we are to do what the scripture teaches (Proverbs 12:15, 14:12, 16:2, 21:2, 2 Timothy 3:15-17). God does not desire to be worshiped by the flesh, that is, by mans ideas, but only in the manner which He has ordained. He desires to be worshiped in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23).

In Leviticus 10:1-2 Nadab and Abihu tried to worship God in a way that he had not commanded. How did God accept their offering? He killed them both. This is a fearful thing.

In 1 Samuel 15:1-28 we learn many principles from King Saul’s mistakes. In verses 1-3 we see that the Lord sent the prophet Samuel to King Saul with the message that King Saul was to “go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not;” we can see in verse 3 that Saul was clearly told to kill all the Amalekites, and all of their animals.

Did King Saul obey the word of the Lord? No he did not. We see in verse 8 and 9 that he took the King of the Amalekites alive and that he spared “the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them.”

Below we can read 1 Samuel 15:10-28

"Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. 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. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou."

Notice that Saul claimed to have obeyed the Lord even though he did not. Notice that Saul disobeyed the Lord so that he could worship the Lord by offering a sacrifice to him. Notice that Samuel says to Saul “to obey is better than sacrifice” Samuel says that “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.” Listen to the excuse Saul gave; “I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.”

This story in 1 Samuel 15 has many similarities to the way many people respond to Christmas. God has clearly commanded us not to learn heathen practices. He has clearly commanded us to be separate from the world (John 15:19, 1 John 2:15, 2 Corinthians 6:15). Therefore, we cannot celebrate Christmas, because if not for heathen practices, there would be no Christmas to have. It must be realized that Christmas and the scriptural account of the birth of Christ are two entirely different things.

But like Saul some have falsely claimed that they have obeyed the Lord. Like Saul some have disobeyed the Lord claiming that they did so in order to worship God. Like Saul some have rebelled, some have been stubborn, some have an Idol. Like Saul some have transgressed the commandment of the Lord because they feared the people (rather than God) and have obeyed the voice of the people.

Christmas is a teaching of the Roman Catholic Church - an antichrist teaching. Christianity based on Scripture Alone was the cry and teaching of the protestant leaders who led God's people out of bondage from the Great Whore (That Great Whore, which today, as in much of history, is, at the very least, most largely embodied by The Roman Catholic Church).

O How that Romish Church has conquered the former Protestants, tricking them into honoring the wishes of the Pope (and of Satan himself)!

If God would have wanted us to celebrate Christmas he certainly would have told us so. In Matthew 28:19-20 we read “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Notice that Christ never taught us any such thing as that which is commonly called "Christmas." Notice also that the Apostles never left us any such example (Nor did the early church).

In the Holy Bible it does not say anything about celebrating the Birthday of Christ. In fact, the only ones who are mentioned as celebrating birthdays in the Bible are pagans who knew not God (Genesis 40:20, Matthew 14:6, Mark 6:21) .

It is in 1 John 2:21 that we find the phrase “No lie is of the truth.” "Christmas" was created by liars (Satan, Pagans, and the Roman Catholic Church (ultimately Satan)), supported by liars, and exists upon lies (John 8:44). "Christmas" continues in "Christian churches" because of those who fear man, and love tradition, more than they fear God, and love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10, Zechariah 8:19).

Christmas is an unbiblical invention of the Roman Catholic Pope, which Protestants at large formerly shunned. The fact that it is so widespread today only evidences the great influence of the spirit of Antichrist which abounds in this world at the present time.

Christmas is highly esteemed in the eyes of men, and no wonder; "For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God."- Luke 16:15

See the links below for more information on the idolatry named "Christmas".

Dec. 25 Worldwide Day Of Idolatry

http://www.radiomissions.org/gleanings/aboutxmas.shtml

http://thethoughtsofhans.blogspot.com/2010/12/great-day-of-idolatry-offering-strange.html

http://www.truthontheweb.org/xmasvol1.htm

The Force (1983) by Jack T. Chick (especially page 26)

http://www.realtruth.org/articles/169-ttooc.html

http://truthseekersministry.com/articles/is-christmas-in-the-bible/

http://bibletruths.org/holiday/xmas_diabolical_paradox.php

http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract3.html

http://www.lakehamiltonbiblecamp.com/topical/christms.htm

http://www.isawthelightministries.com/christmas.html

http://webbpage.bravehost.com/christmas.html

Paganism in the Church: What about Christmas?

The Forbidden E-word: The Abominable Association

Well here it is... that time of year when ignorant and stubborn men disobey Almighty God by calling the Good News by the name of a pagan goddess.

It is against Biblical teaching to call the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection Easter. Easter is the name of a pagan goddess.

Associating pagan gods with the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ is an abomination in the sight of God.

It is to the devils delight that men label the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection as Easter.

And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. - Exodus 23:13

Those who celebrate Easter and its pagan aspects such as eggs and bunnies should consider the verse below, and how they are guilty of following the way of the heathen.

And ye shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you. - Ezekiel 11:12

Deuteronomy 12:1-32 also has much say on this matter.

If my attack on the man made tradition of Easter offends you, consider the following words of Christ.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men - See Mark 7:8

Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? - See Matthew 15:3

When men keep a holiday named Easter they transgress God’s commandments. This includes the transgressing of the first of the Ten Commandments. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. - Exodus 20:3

It is a blatant blaspheme “Christian” churches partake in when they put the “Easter” label on and over everything as they commonly do in this season.

Those who claim that praising God is always right even when associating him with false gods are blind. You cannot Glorify God while you disobey Him. Below we see an example of the condemnation upon those who first tried to do this under the Old Covenant.

Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies. - Isaiah 66:1-6 (Also see Isaiah chapter 1, the rest of Isaiah chapter 66, and Amos chapter 5).

I will plainly say what these words of the prophets have to do with the celebration named Easter. These scriptures in Isaiah and Amos are about false worship. Worship which obviously did not please God, and worship which brought His wrath. Such is all worship done in disobedience.

Will we do the same thing being now under a better covenant? (Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 12:24) Has the law of God not been written on our heart?

We are to remember Christ's Resurrection always, and rejoice in what God through his Son has done for us.

There is scripture condemning the utterance of the names of false gods. There is scripture condemning the way of the heathen. There is scripture condemning the mixing of paganism with Christianity. If you cannot see these things than Woe unto you who know not the scriptures, who know not the word of God!



For more information see the links below.

What Does the Scripture Say ?

The Pagan Origin Of Easter

Easter: It's Totally Pagan too!

The nonexistent, evil chick called Easter

Is Easter in the Bible?

Favorite Quotes

Below we see a quote by John Knox Speaking To The Papists - These words may also apply to those today who cling to Roman Catholicism through their Babylonian Traditions.

"That God's word damns your ceremonies, it is evident; for the plain and straight commandment of God is, 'Not that thing which appears good in thy eyes, shalt thou do to the Lord thy God, but what the Lord thy God has commanded thee, that do thou: add nothing to it; diminish nothing from it.' Now unless that ye are able to prove that God has commanded your ceremonies, this his former commandment will damn both you and them." - See Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32 (This is a Quote from John Knox's History of the Reformation in Scotland (Ed. by William Croft Dickinson; New York: Philosophical Library, 1950), Vol. 1, p. 91.)

Below is a quote by Martin Luther. I like this quote because it accurately expresses an important truth. The Truth that we cannot give in, even the slightest bit, to the doctrines of Satan which are taught so forcefully all around us.

"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point." ~Martin Luther

Also, read a couple more of my favorite quotes at the bottom of this page > The Most Important Thing

The Great Day of Idolatry: Offering Strange Fire unto the Lord

Today (Dec. 25), is The Great Day of Idolatry when men are offering strange fire unto the Lord. Will the Lord God be pleased? Does anyone care what pleases God?

Last night I was reading Leviticus. I read in Leviticus 10:1-2 how two of the sons of Aaron (1) tried to worship the Lord in a way which God had not commanded them. And what was the result? God killed them both with fire. This is exactly what Christmas is, men trying (or claiming to) worship God in a way he has not commanded. How will God accept this offering? The scripture has clearly spoken.

It is wrong to make up our own religious celebrations, because trying to worship God in the way our flesh desires is indeed evil.

Here is a thought. If we decide what God wants rather than listen to what he has told us, have we not made ourselves god in our eyes?

We are to be separate, and have nothing to do with this Idolatry, lest we be recipients of the wrath of God which he will send on the disobedient (see Colossians 3:2-10, and Ephesians 5:3-7).


(1) Nadab and Abihu, the two eldest sons of Aaron (Exodus 6:23, 1 Chronicles 24:1-2, Numbers 26:60).

See "Is Christmas in the Bible?"

See "The True Origin of CHRISTMAS"

See "XMAS, the diabolical paradox"

See "The Origin Of Christmas"

See "Is Christmas Idolatry?"

See "A Christmas Conversation"

See "Christmas Compared to the Birth of Christ"

Gospel, Repentance, They Should Have Known

The following is written in a effort to make known some lies/misunderstandings taught by certain dispensationalists, and to make the truth plain by bringing the scriptures into our knowledge.

It has been claimed that “God does not today preach repentance as part of the gospel as he did to Israel, today repentance is not part of the Gospel of Grace.”

In Acts 17:18-30 Paul is preaching to the philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks. He is not preaching to the Jews, but he says to these philosophers in verse 17:30 …“But now God commands everyone, everywhere to Repent.” How can you say repentance is not taught today? Clearly it is, there are also many more examples, if you would read your Bible.

In Acts 17:1-17 Paul preached to the Jews. “Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.: (verse 17:3) Paul reasoned with them out of the scriptures and, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” - Acts 17:11

What scriptures was it that they searched to see if Paul was telling them the truth? Not the New Testament scriptures.

In Acts 8:30-35 the Ethiopian eunuch did not know the gospel until Philip explained it to him. And notice the scripture which Phillip explained - Isaiah 53:7-8.

It has been claimed that “repentance is not taught today because the flesh cannot please God, so we have to become a Christian and be converted, Before we can repent. All we need to do is believe”

The flesh has never pleased God. If we understand what Christ did we cannot do anything but repent of our sins. How can we believe if we do not understand what we believe?

What is it that you think Christ has done for us? He has bore our iniquities. God bruised Christ and accepted him as a offering for our sin. We are justified before God by Christ because He bore our iniquities (Also see 2 Corinthians 5:18-24). How could one accept this and not repent? They cannot. Somebody had to pay for our sins with their life! Only Christ, the very Son of God was pure enough to be an offering. Only through His shed Blood could our sins be forgiven, because He who was without sin bore our sins.

With the old testament the Jews should have understood this. The fact that they crucified Christ was a testimony that they did not know their own scripture (As said Jesus in John 5:46). Because if they had know it they would have recognized Christ, they would have known that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin. They would have know that God would be sending a messiah to take away the sins of His people. How would they have known? Because the Prophets and the other old testament scriptures declared it!

They learned from the Prophets (or should have learned) that God desires obedience rather than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) and desires mercy rather than sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). They should have known about Christ’s coming and that he would save the people from their sins, by bearing their iniquities. (Isaiah 53, Isaiah 9:6–7, Zechariah 9:9, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14)

“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” - Psalm 51:16-17

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” - Isaiah 1:11-17

Also see Amos 5:12-24, Isaiah 66:3, and Jeremiah chapter 7.

See a related Post "Works? Faith? Repentance? Old Testament Salvation?"

See a related post "The Prophecy of the Crucifixion of Christ"

http://www.chick.com/information/general/repentance.asp

click here to see some thoughts of Desiderius Erasmus related to this subject, especially see page 80 (Note: since this post was originally posted page 80 has become unavailable, as of 4/14/2011)

Christmas Conversation

The following is part of an account of a conversation.

But I first presented him with the Christmas article and prefaced it with a statement about how some people look forward to Christmas because without it their winter is too depressing. I noted that this was idolatry because Christ should be more than enough to bring Christians Joy throughout the year.

He read part of the article and said something like,

“I just wanted to worship Christ I did not want to know all this“, So I said

“but now you do know“. But he had know a lot of it before, some I had told him before. So we talked about it and he said something like...

“if we have to have a Christmas tree or Christmas cookies in order for it to be Christmas in our heart than it is idolatry“. So I said

“So you are saying it is idolatry, because if you take away all those things there is no Christmas.” He came to agree that for many people it is idolatry. So I said

“So for many people it is idolatry and you still want to celebrate it and support that?”

I said how that when we are children it is especially an idol because all we look forward to is the presents, we don’t really care at that young age whether Christ was born or not.

He said something to the effect that it is actually even worse when we are older because it becomes ingrained in people as adults. And with that statement he was right, I was just assuming that we learn better when we get older. He also said...

“well what is wrong if a Christmas tree helps me worship Christ?” So I said...

“isn’t Christ great enough? Why do we need something to help us worship him?” And he quickly said

“well it creates a change.”

Then he said something about how that “well don’t you think Christmas was put together by God?” So I said

“well not unless you believe the Pope is infallible!?”

But then he said how he meant the birth of Christ, and the story in the Gospel of Luke. So I said well yes of course the birth of Christ was God’s work, But not Christmas.

Then he said well, don’t you think God can use Christmas to witness to others? So I said "well God can use anything, but he does not want us to use Christmas."

And then he said well even in the old testament they had festivals and celebrations.

So I said well yes, but God specifically gave them those celebrations and told them exactly how to do it, but he did not give us Christmas, he did not tell us when Christ was born, and if he wanted us to know, or wanted us to celebrate it he would have told us so.

Then he said something about how Christmas had been going on for so long, so what are we supposed to do?, so I said something like “just drop it” (drop the celebration of Christmas that is).

Then he kept coming back to the fact that what matters is what is in our heart, “as long as we are worshiping Jesus on Christmas.”

So I said “But are You?”

So we again came back to the fact that for many people Christmas was an idol, but then he said something to the effect that we can’t just tell people that, they have to see if for themselves.

So I said “so they can’t be held accountable for it just because they don’t see it for themselves?”

Then he said something about having to be patient and just show love and not being judgmental.

So I said something about how some people will never know unless we tell them.

He seemed sure that, we can’t just tell people that they are doing something wrong. So I asked him...

“So it’s enough just to accept Christ and stop there? And he said

“well no we have to accept all that goes with it” And he said that how when people are baptized he tells them how it is just the beginning and how they should continue to grow.

So I said that “it does not seem like anyone is growing much“, he agreed with that.

He said he enjoyed the talk though, and I know it was good.

It was a calm conversation we had, but at least once I raised my voice, I think it was when I said

“So for many people it is idolatry and you still want to celebrate it and support that!?”


Do not be deceived: idolaters shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (See 1 Corinthians 6:9)


See "Christmas Compared to the Birth of Christ"

See "Is Christmas Idolatry?"

Christmas Compared to the Birth of Christ

This is written in an effort to differentiate the biblical account of the birth of Christ from the tradition commonly know as Christmas. When we know the Biblical account, then we can clearly see that anything else is not Biblical.

We can read the biblical account below;

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” - Luke 2:1-20 (also see Matthew 1:17-25, and Matthew 2:1-23)

The first coming of Christ to the earth fulfilled many prophesies.

Matthew 1:23 is the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14

Matthew 2:5-6 is the fulfillment of Micah 5:2

Matthew 2:15 is the fulfillment of Hosea 11:1

Matthew 2:17-18 is the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:15

In Mark we do not read an account of Christ‘s birth and in John we read the following:

“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” - John 1:9-18

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” - Isaiah 9:6-7

Jesus Christ has been the King since he was born (Matthew 2:2). “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” - John 1:11-13

The Holy Bible does not tell us to celebrate the birth of Christ. Christ has only instructed us to remember his death (1 Corinthians 11:23-29, Luke 22:17-20).

In the Holy Bible the day of one’s death is considered better than the day of one’s birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1). In the scripture birthdays are only mentioned as a celebration of pagans (Genesis 40:20, Matthew 14:6, Mark 6:21).

It is a fact that the “Christian” holiday know as Christmas is filled with beliefs and practices from paganism, and aspects of Babylonian religion. These adopting of pagan beliefs and practices is forbidden by God. In fact if you take away all aspects of “Christmas” which are not taught in the Bible then there is nothing left to this holiday, but the scripture alone. We must desire to do what God wants, not what we want.

Christmas dishonors Christ.

Do you want to do what God wants?

Are you too prideful to admit you could be wrong?

If you do not love the truth and desire to know it, the scripture says you will be damned (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

See "What Does the Scripture Say?"

See "Is Christmas in the Bible?"

See The True Origin of CHRISTMAS

See XMAS, the diabolical paradox

See The Origin Of Christmas

See "A Christmas Conversation"

See Is Christmas Idolatry?

Christian Occupations and Supporting Idolatry

Christmas is not taught in scripture nor was it observed by the early Church. Christmas is a celebration which is a combination of paganism and Christianity which God forbids (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32).

That being established the question has been asked; Can I, a Christian, work selling or packaging Christmas candy? (Herein Christmas candy is defined as specific and peculiar candies which are only for and of Christmas)

When I first heard this question I had no idea…but through prayer, thought, and study of scripture I was lead to understand the following things.

First, I believe that the responsibility in this case lies with the Business owner and the individual who buys. I do not believe that the employee working under the authority of the employer (owner) is the one responsible. Let me explain further.

As Christians it is important to chose “Christian occupations” primarily work which does not require us to commit sin or support sin. (And also one by which we make use of our abilities.) So obviously there are some occupations which are not acceptable in the sight of God.

Consider the mailman. Mailmen deliver many things (material, products, publications) which are very evil, albeit they also deliver many good thing. Are we to say that Christians cannot be mail men because they deliver some bad things? I do not believe so. Likewise it appears that the employee who is merely doing as is required by the employer does not partake of the employer’s sin, nor of the customer’s (For employers and customers who buy evil things such as “Christmas candy”). So long as the employee does not work for an employer whose main purposes are evil. For example, we could say the main purpose of the employer in this case is to sell candy. Obviously selling candy in and of itself is not evil.

Now there are a few caveats to this idea and there are a few scriptures to be discussed.

First what this makes me think of is 1 Corinthians Chapter 8. Here Paul talks about meat offered unto idols. Now Christmas is an idol to many, so it appears that the meat offered to idols is somewhat like this Christmas candy which is offered to (used in) the worship of the Christmas idol. So we conclude that if selling Christmas candy (or any thing) leads the weak in faith away from Christ then we should not do it. Now considering the society in which we live here today, I find it a stretch to believe that Christmas candy would lead weak Christians away from Christ. (Considering that Christians who do not celebrate Christmas must be strong in the faith to begin with to go against the common Christian support of Christmas.) But even if I did think Christmas candy could lead others away from Christ I still do not believe it would matter (for the employee) because of the following argument.

In Romans 13:1, it appears to me that the higher power appointed by God over the employee is the employer. And so it is the employer and the customer who will be judged guilty if they choose to provide and use certain candies to worship an idol.

What really makes this clear in my mind is that candy in and of itself can neither be good nor evil, but still the one who ultimately decides (the owner) what candy to sell would be the one responsible. This is the danger of a Christian owning a business. If they love the world and its riches (money) more than Christ they will sell anything regardless of whether it is used for evil or good. I cannot see how a true Christian business owner could sell evil things or even things which have the “appearance of evil”(1 Thessalonians 5:22).

Now we also must consider the lesson of Ezekiel 33:8-9. Here the lesson is that God will hold us accountable for not speaking out against sin. We do not want to have blood on our hands! We must seek the Lord regarding what exactly this means for us, what and when he is calling us to do and say. I believe each of us will be called in a different way regarding what to speak out against; but regardless we must always speak the truth and lie not (1 Timothy 2:7, James 3:14).

The final test as to weather or not an occupation is acceptable is whether or not we can do it in faith. For “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (see Romans 14:22-23). Therefore if we have faith that we are doing and living in a manner acceptable and pleasing to God then our doing and living is “of faith” and pleasing to God. But if we doubt, then we sin. So from the beginning we must strive to follow after and allow God to use us and all of our life for his glory. We must seek an understanding of him and what he desires of us by studying his word. Now understand that this is not a make believe game. I am not saying that if we “believe” we are following Christ that we necessarily are. We must use the scripture as our judge and learn thereby.

So in summery;
1. If the main purpose of the employer is not evil than it is probably not a sin to work for them. But;
2. We are accountable to speak out against sin.
3. We must do whatever we do in faith.
4. If we are unsure about any of these we need to pray to understand God’s will, seek for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and study the Word of God.

If that thing which the authority over us requires is not necessarily evil (specifically commanded against) then are we not required to do it? Yea, say I we are required to do it, unless our faith is weak and we cannot do it without sinning (because of our doubt).

Now there are two things I want to clarify so that I am not misunderstood.

1. Here I will use a different example. Assume that all gambling is sin (which I believe it is). Now if you work at a gas station that sells lottery tickets, then I do not believe it is a sin for you as an employee to sell lottery tickets. (But I believe it is sin for the owner of the gas station to sell them) This is what I mean when I say that we are required to do it, unless specifically commanded against it. I believe we are specifically commanded against playing the lottery, but we are not commanded against selling lottery tickets when working under the authority of the employer.

2. If this position is not taken (the argument made in the four points above) then there are only two alternatives theories I can think of.

The one alternative would be that any Christian can sell anything, even very evil things as long as they do not directly partake of the evil thing they are selling. In this view Christians could sell anything imaginable. I will leave it at that. Obviously this view is wrong, hypocritical and clearly unbiblical.

The other alternative view is that supporting evil or sin in any way, even very indirectly is wrong, and unallowed. This view would lead us not to pay our taxes because the money taken would in part be used for evil purposes. It would also disallow us from working for much of any employers. We would basically have no choice but to be farmers, hunters, gatherers and vagabonds living in the wilderness. This view is also unbiblical as we are told to “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” (see Matthew 22:21)

So there must be some Biblical view point between these extremes, and I believe it has been identified earlier. I would be interested in hearing of any views besides these three, if there are any.

I will also add that I believe it is better for an individual to be self-employed (or owner or part owner of a truly Christian business) if they have the opportunity. I base this on 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 and Proverbs 22:7, with the understanding that when working under the authority of another, we are in a sense their servant or slave. Therefore, we, ideally would be able to serve the Lord better, and should desire to be free rather than bond, by coming out from under the authority of our employer. This is especially true if our employers are unchristian or run their business in an unbiblical way.

amictus luce quasi vestimento extendens caelos ut pellem - Psalm 103:2