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Elementary Principles - Part 2 “Repentance from dead works”
Elementary Principles - Part 2
“Repentance from dead works”
By Derek Long
The Hebrew writer describes part of “the elementary
principles of Christ” as “repentance from dead
works” (Hebrews 6:1). It is important for us to understand what is involved in repentance from dead works before we can go onto the meat of the word. Let’s examine some things involved in repentance from dead works.
• Repentance is something produced by godly sorrow. 2
Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” One does not necessarily repent of sin because they have sorrow over it. Only godly sorrow will lead one to truly repent of their sin. Godly sorrow is more concerned about how sin impacts God more than how it impacts you or others. David expresses godly sorrow when he says, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13) and says to God “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight - that You may be found just when you speak, and blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:4).
• Repentance involves a change of mind which demonstrates itself in a change of action. In Matthew 21:28-30 Jesus teaches a parable using two sons. One son initially refuses to do his father’s will and yet regrets or repents and ends up doing what his father required. Repentance will cause one who is engaged in sin to break off the sinful practice and begin doing what is right instead. Ephesians 4:28 shows what repentance would involve for a person who stole. It says, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.” Repentance requires one to stop doing what is wrong and replace it with proper conduct.
• Repentance involves turning from certain actions. One cannot repent and continue to live life as they have been living it previously. There are fruits produced in a person’s life by repentance (Matthew 3:8) and there are works befitting repentance (Acts 26:20). Fruits worthy of repentance would be the changed lifestyle one lives after they repent of sin.
• Repentance is to take place “from dead works.” Sin leads to death. Romans 6:21, 23 says, “What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death ... For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In addition, Ephesians 2:1 speaks about the Christian’s former condition as being “dead in trespasses and sins.” Any sin will cause one to be spiritually dead and separated from God. We must cease engaging in these dead works to gain the approval of God. The Hebrew letter would remind those Jewish Christians to whom it was first written that the law of Moses was done away with. As a result, engaging in the works of the law of Moses was engaging in works which
now would be dead works. One cannot be saved on the basis of keeping the works of the law of Moses. We must instead serve God under the New Testament if we are going to be saved.
• Repentance is still something God requires of people today. Paul told those in Athens, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). It doesn’t matter who one is or where they are from, since all have sinned (Romans 3:23), all need to repent of their sins. In addition 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” God desires for every person to repent so they might be
! saved on the Last Day.
Have you repented from dead works?
- Bulletin_-_3_17_19.pdf (55.28 kB)
