Hebrews 6:1 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 (KJV). The word “repentance” (METANOIA, 3341 in the Strong’s Concordance) means thinking differently, to think afterward, or to reconsider. It means to change the mind, or to change one’s way of thinking or purpose. It is always a change for the better. Repentance denotes change of moral thought and reflection, which includes remorse and sorrow as the result of being genuine. Essentially, repentance is the change from a self-centered life to a God-centered life. Another way to state it is, “repentance is a change of direction in which one travels.” As one’s course is headed one direction, it changes to go the opposite. Eternal life is unattainable without faith, and faith is unattainable without repentance. For one must turn away from unbelief in order to turn toward faith, which is rooted in belief. It is a 180-degree turn for the better. We are told in Acts 20:21 that Paul testified to both Jew and Gentile alike, “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” In order for repentance to be complete, we not only turn away from one thing (sin, unbelief, etc.), but we turn toward something opposite (righteousness, faith, etc.). We turn from serving the devil, to serving God. There is no neutral ground; it is all or nothing.
This leads us to a reason that some have difficulty with having complete victory in their lives. In many instances, they may have attempted to turn away from sin, but they fail to turn to God. Hence, they go into the “I will not” mode, and find themselves failing even more because they are still minding the flesh. Faith is positive in its direction, it says “I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus,” or “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” We do not do things from the aspect of fear or by relying on the arm of the flesh. Some have the concept that they need to clean their selves up before going to God. This is fear based, not faith. We do not do things to play it safe, our safety is in Jesus, not in ourselves. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Furthermore, 1John 1:9 declares to us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Instead of thinking, I will not sin; we think in terms of I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ my Lord (see 2Corinthians 5:21). One is self-effort, while the other is relying on His strength.
Basically, dead works are works without faith. They are an attempt to reach God based on the acts of the self or the flesh. In order for something to be a step of faith or a work of faith, God must initiate it. We know that, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17, KJV). Therefore, if one were to step out on faith without hearing from God first, it is not faith; it is presumption. Hearing takes on different forms in term on how one hears: whether it is that feeling or prompting we get, also known as the unction from the Holy Spirit; perhaps a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, or prophecy, and the like. There are a number of variables in relation to hearing, but are not be addressed here. Regardless of what method the Lord uses to speak to us, we need to hear from Him first.
Finally, a key to walking by faith is intimacy with the Lord. With intimacy comes dialogue and with dialogue, faith. Everything we do should be the result of our relationship with the Father. We are not tying to gain a relationship by what we do. We do things for God by doing things with Him. In this is rest and repentance from dead works. If you are wearing yourself out trying to do things for God, stop and listen. Let Him reveal to you what it is He desires, and do that. You might be surprised by how much more energy you will have. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; and they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31, KJV).
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