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, and of faith toward God, (
Heb 6:1)
Dead works: works of death, works that do not produce life, works that do not spring from the Life of Christ by the Spirit in a person's life.
2 Kinds of dead works -
sin, and dead
religious works.
Sin defined:
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for
sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4
A note about repentance :
2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye
sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that
ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what
carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what
clearing of yourselves, yea, what
indignation, yea, what
fear, yea, what
vehement desire, yea, what
zeal, yea, what
revenge!
In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Notice that 'sorrow' can lead to repentance. Sorrow is an emotional state, repentance is an ACT. Repentance is not a feeling in itself, it is an ACTION, a choice, a course of decision regarding something. When a person realizes they have done wrong, and are not walking as the Lord wills, they are sorrowful for it, and if it is godly sorrow, it leads them to take action to correct the matter. Godly sorrow causes a man to be
careful (ie to take care, to be diligent) about clearing himself with God. It leads to indignation against sin and disobedience, it leads a man to have vehement desire to do the right thing, to fear to displease God, to have zeal in pursuing righteousness, to take revenge on disobedience against God. In other words, godly sorrow leads a person to QUIT SINNING AGAINST GOD. That is 'repentance'.
Sin is transgression of the law. The law is summed up in two 'great commands', to love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. All the various commandments of God are simply expressions of those two great commandments in various circumstances and situations. The various commandments of God reveal how to love God with all one's being, and how to love one's neighbor as oneself.
1. No other gods before the True God.
2. No idol worship.
3. No profaning the Lord's name.
4. Remember the sabbath day.
5. Honour your parents.
6. No committing murder.
7. No adultery.
8. No thieving.
9. No slandering, libeling, or otherwise bearing false witness against others.
10. No coveting that which belongs to another.
In the Sermon on the mount (
Matthew 5) Jesus explained the true scope of many of these commands, showing they are not limited to outward actions but also to the inward motions of the heart. Hate = murder, unlawful lust = adultery, etc.
So, if you are breaking God's commands, if you are doing what you know to be contrary to the revealed will of God, then STOP. Clear yourself by changing your choice. Choose instead to love God and love your neighbor.
The other category of dead works from which we must repent is religious works that have no life.
the entire book of Romans deals largely with that topic, showing that the outward keeping of the old covenant does not avail with God, only a new creature producing obedience by the power of the Spirit of Christ avails anything.
See for example:
Romans 2, 3, 4.
Also consider the entirety of
Romans 8.
Now, very few people have a problem with attempting to be justified in the sight of God by 'keeping the law' for the old covenant has been done away with, there is no temple, priesthood, etc so it would be impossible to keep the law anyway. But there is another problem that arises:
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (
Colossians 2:23)
This verse may be difficult to understand in the King James, try this:
These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (NASB)
People often invent their own forms of religion by which they imagine they will please God and 'discipline' themselves. But such things are attempts by the flesh, and although they appear to be wise, they do not succeed in truly mortifying the flesh. that can only be done through the Holy Ghost:
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Religion that is not based upon faith is a religion of dead works, and must be repented of.
What is 'faith', then? Literally, it means to commit oneself to God, to trust in God. More than mere intellectual assent, it is a conviction of truth that impels action.
But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 Nothing done apart from faith is pleasing to God.
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith:
for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23 Paul is peaking about vegetarianism vs meat eating here, but applies a biblical pinciple -
whatsoever is apart from faith is sin.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 biblical faith comes by hearing, and that hearing comes by the Word of God. Thus, faith not founded on the Word of God is delusion, and not real faith.
Whatever one has been doing that is not of faith must, therefore, be repented of. STOP DOING IT, and start trusting God
according to his Word.
This may mean to repent from looking for a 'feeling' as an excuse to not actually repent, or it may simply mean repenting from walking in ignorance of some Biblical truth now understood.
Repentance is not passive, it is not something that 'comes upon' you, it is something you do. It is to stop being or doing something, and do the contrary or opposite. Stop sinning, start obeying; stop following man made religion, start following God; stop doubting God, start believing God, etc.
Hope that helps.
Your Definition of "True Repentance" please
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