Repentance from Dead Works..

Part 3 of 9

My pastor literally wrote the book on these foundational doctrines. I've sat under his teaching for many years, and am privileged to share a condensed version with you here in these articles.

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works..." (Heb 6:1).

The first step we're to take towards God is one of repentance. My pastor says this is "the first block in the building of our spiritual foundation". In Scripture, often times repentance is presented even before belief in the Gospel: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mk 1:15; Acts 2:37-38; 26:20; Matt 21:32)!

What is repentance?

The word "repent" simply means "to turn; a reversal; to change one's mind". It's more of an action than a word. It involves conviction of sin, sorrow for sin, confession and acknowledgement of sin, and the forsaking and abandonment of sin. True repentance is of course the will of God for every man. Peter tells us He is "longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9; Acts 17:30-31; Mk 2:17; etc). In Scripture, there are two types of repentance: Godly repentance and worldly repentance (sorrow): "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (2 Cor 7:10). The major difference between Godly repentance and worldly repentance (sorrow) is the state of man's heart after it has occurred. Godly repentance births a real change in us, but mere worldly sorrow does not. In Psalm 38, we read of David's Godly repentance. He said, "For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin" (vs. 17-18). Not only was he sorry for his sin, but he was ready to stop sinning, and repent. On the contrary, in Mark 10, we read of a man who had worldly sorrow instead of true repentance. Jesus asked him to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow after Him. This rich man heard the Word, was deeply sorry, but went away unchanged.. His repentance was merely a worldly sorrow, like Judas similarly displayed (Matt 27:3). Is our repentance after a Godly sort, or a worldly? Are we changed and altered once we've repented, or are we still the same? The subsequent state of our hearts will provide us the answer to our method of repentance.

How do we repent?

As I said, repentance involves confession and forsaking sin: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Prov 28:13). Overall, however, repentance is a gift! God brings us to proper repentance (Jer 31:18-19). Aren't you grateful? "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:30-31). The ability we have to repent comes from the Lord! Repentance is simply the doorway into God's realm.. It's by His enabling grace that we enter in - it is a gift from God: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8). Repentance isn't necessarily something we muster up by our own carnal guilt and effort. Rather, the power of God enables us to turn from our iniquities: "Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities" (Acts 3:26). God has simply granted us repentance unto life (Acts 11:18). He has poured upon us the spirit of grace and of supplication (Zech 12:10). Are you lost in sin today? Just ask the Lord Jesus to turn away your ungodliness (Rom 11:26), and give you "repentance to the acknowledging of the truth" (2 Tim 2:25). He is able to create a repentant heart in all of us (Ps 51:10)!

What are "dead works"?

Dead works are simply works that are void of life; those acts that we perform that only hinder our spiritual progress. The Jews of Jesus' day sought to justify themselves by the works of the Law (Rom 3:20; 5:1). Such works as these were and are dead works, that is, they cannot produce righteousness nor life. They simply produce more death. Dead works can also be sinful acts (Gal 5:19-21).

We are rather to perform good works - those acts that spring from the vital principles of faith and love. Good works (living works) are works that are (1) motivated by the Holy Spirit, (2) According to the Word of God, and (3) Done in the love of God. All other works are dead works, and God asks us to turn from these and abandon them. Thankfully, again, this is a gift from God: "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:14).

To be continued...