Elementary Principles of Christ | Repentance from dead works

In this post, I want to start talking about what the Bible calls the - Elementary Principles of Christ. 

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection not laying hands again on the foundations of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrines of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead and the eternal judgement. (Hebrews 6:1-2)

In the above verse, we see what these elementary principles of Christ are. The writer did not explain these truths because he wanted to impart some greater truths in the following chapters. He expected the people he was writing to, to already have a grasp of them. (Hebrews 5:12). I believe it is important for every Christian to get a hold of these elementary truths of Christ: 

• Repentance from dead works and of faith towards God
• Doctrines of Baptisms
• Laying on of hands
• The Resurrection of the Dead
• Eternal Judgement

In this post we will talk about the first elementary principle: Repentance from dead works and of faith towards God.

There are many good people in the world. They have great honor in the eyes of men. They are so much better than the drunkard on the street right? Wrong! This self-righteousness that people trust in (hide behind) when relating to God is what the Bible calls dead works.

It is important you realize that no matter what religion you belong to you have sinned. You might categorize sins and say that I have not committed the big sins. (murder, adultery, rape etc...) You might consider yourself better than most people. But the Bible tells us that those who compare themselves among themselves are not wise. (2 Corinthians 10:12) We should not compare ourselves with others but with God. Christ lived the perfect life (Luke 23:4) (Hebrews 4:15). The fullness of God and all that God is, is seen in Christ. (Colossians 1:19) (Hebrews 1:3) And when we compare our life with His Life we all fall short of God's perfect standard. (Romans 3:23) 

Another important fact is that God does not categorize sins and absolutely nothing you do can erase the sin in your life. In no place has God said that He will look at your good deeds and weigh them against your bad deeds at the time of judgement.

On the contrary, the Bible says: 

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) 

In an other verse it says: 

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) 

God lists the liars, cowards and unbelievers with the sexually immoral and murders. There are no big sins or small sins for God. You either meet His perfect standard or you do not. (James 2:10) You are either righteous or a sinner. And God will judge each man justly.

If you think that God is going to let his judgement pass over you just because of some good that you have done in your life you are badly mistaken. That is what it says right? Neither liars nor drunkards will inherit the Kingdom of God. The wages of sin is death and every soul that has sinned will be separated from God eternally. (Ezekiel 18:20)

So is there a way to have peace with God and not be separated from God eternally? Yes, there is (John 14:6) and that is the Good News that I preach. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) (Romans 5:1-2) 

This is the first elementary principle of Christ. Repentance from dead works and putting your faith in Christ. Repentance is nothing but turning from trusting in your own holiness. Stop trusting in what you do, your goodness and your observance of religious ordinances. Stop comparing yourself to men but compare yourself to God. And then put your faith in Christ and receive the forgiveness that He offers to you as a gift through the Cross.

I have written four detailed articles about having right standing or peace with God and I urge you to read them for greater Revelation. (Read | Right Standing with God).