Repentance From Dead Works, Not From Sin

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,”

There is a popular deadly teaching in many Baptist churches today, which says you must “turn away from your sin” to receive God's gift of eternal life. Whereas the Bible teaches that repentance and faith are simply two parts of one act of believing the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ, the heresy of Lordship Salvation says that you must repent as a separate action from faith. Lordship Salvation says that you must turn away from your sinful behavior first, and then secondly believe. The latter is a much more complex plan of salvation than to simply “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31b).

I love Hebrews 6:1, because it plainly teaches us that repentance is from “DEAD WORKS,” and not from our sins. Dead works includes all works! They are called “dead” works because they cannot save you. What saith the Scripture? ...

Romans 9:30-33, “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

I love this passage. Let my explain it. The Gentiles who couldn't care less about living right, obtained salvation by faith; but the Old Testament Jews, who tried to keep the law of Moses, went to Hell. Why? It is because the Jews lacked FAITH. Not being “ashamed” here does not mean to be embarrassed. It is a quote from Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” This beautiful Bible passage speaks of our wonderful Savior. Jesus Christ is the Foundation of Christianity, the Head of the Church (1st Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 5:23). 

The Bible promises that whosoever believes on Christ will not be let down. You won't be disappointed. That is what “make haste” and “not be ashamed” mean in these passages. You can count on Jesus!!! The apostle Peter was ashamed of Jesus, denying Him three times. Peter cursed and said that He didn't know Jesus. Yet, Peter was securely saved. We also read in John 12:42-43 that many of the chief rulers were ashamed of Jesus, but “they did not confess Him.” They were ashamed, afraid of losing their jobs because of the unbelieving Pharisees. These Bible passages have nothing to do with being ashamed. God invites you to believe on His Son, assuring you that you won't be let down in eternity.

Romans 9:32b says the Jews “sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.” Now you can clearly see what is meant by repenting from “DEAD WORKS” in Hebrews 6:1. The reason God gave the Old Testament law was to show humanity our sins (Romans 3:19). But the Jews got stuck on keeping the law, trying to merit salvation by works (self-righteousness). Dear reader, no one has ever been saved by works (Romans 3:20). When a preacher says that you must “turn away from your sin” to be saved, what he is effectively saying is that you must do works to receive God's free gift of eternal life. 

The law of Moses was not just avoiding doing bad works; such as, committing adultery, murder, et cetera. Some commandments included doing good works; such as, honoring your mother and father, and loving God with all your mind, heart and soul. The law included all of the ceremonial laws, which involved sacrifices, rituals and festivals. So the law was comprised of both doing good works, and not doing bad works. They all fall under the umbrella of “dead works,” because salvation cannot be attained through keeping them.