Christ taught spiritual truths which, when followed, lead to a full life for those who follow him. The principles we have discussed so far are summarised in the Epistles to the Hebrews and are presented there as seven principles to guide us in our following of Jesus, both as individuals and also as a corporate body. (Hebrews 5:9 – 6:1-2).

Practising these principles will lead us into a full experience of God’s purposes in our lives and churches. They are to help us grow into spiritual maturity. Sadly, they are neglected or even eradicated from the Gospel message of today and often even reversed by the popular “new age gospel” now prevalent.

They are called the “First Principles of the Word of God”. The writer of Hebrews addressed baby believers who don’t grow because of a lack of understanding and application of these principles in their lives. These believers need to grow up and graduate from milk to feed upon the deeper truths of God’s Word. 

Repentance

The first principle of God’s Word is repentance, but not just repentance from our sins but repentance from our “dead works”.

Repentance means “a change of mind” and “dead works” means “works of self-justification”. So, the first principle of God is for us to have a change of mind about ourselves and our attempts to justify ourselves: all those things that we do to mask the fact that we are sinners or use as excuses for our sins or to conceal our true depravity. They include all our attempts of self-effort to justify ourselves.

Few churches teach on repentance and because of this, conversions are not based on sound Biblical principles but are often shallow transitional experiences based on emotional decisions or wrong concepts.

Sin and Responsibility

The Bible teaches that men and women are made in the image of God and must take responsibility for their sins. However, most people play down sin and attempt to excuse themselves. This is not helpful when it comes to salvation for our hearts are very deceptive.

God will not compromise with sin and has himself provided the only means for us to be delivered from it, the sacrifice of Christ. However, to benefit from this great sacrifice we must come to a place where we recognise, acknowledge, and confess our condition. Once we do so God cancels our sin and totally eliminates it on the basis that Christ paid for them.

The opening words of Jesus were a call to repentance. Very few people would claim they have lived exemplary lives, and most admit that they have failed in one way or another. Many recognise this and try to make amends by “turning over a new leaf” and living “good lives”. This alone cannot cancel sin.

Dead Works and Self-Justification

All our efforts to earn approval to be acceptable to God are what the Bible calls “dead works” of self-justification. The Bible says that “all our righteousness is as filthy rags” and “all have sinned and fallen short”. (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10, 23).

No matter how we clothe ourselves in respectability we cannot justify ourselves and have no righteousness of our own. Jesus told a story about a Pharisee (a religious man who trusted in himself) and a tax collector (considered one of the worst sinners). (Luke 18:9-14). It illustrates what God thinks about self-righteousness.

Complete Change of Mind

Repentance is more than penance – it is a complete change of mind about oneself. To change one’s mind about sin is only half repentance. It is a start but incomplete. Jesus meant more than this: we must turn from ourselves and rely wholly on him.

God desires all people to fully repent. (2 Peter 3:9, Romans 2:4, Acts 17:30). He does not want any to perish and has no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked. (Ezekiel 18:31-32). He so loved the world and everyone in it that he sent Jesus to save the lost. (Revelation 22:17).

Jesus did his part; our part is to repent. (Luke 13:3, 5). Many people harden their hearts and resist the Holy Spirit. Others consider themselves to be “good enough” and in no need of salvation. (Acts 7:51, Matthew 9:13). Many try to justify themselves by being good.

The Work of Christ

Hebrews 9:14 declares that the blood of Christ purges our conscience from “dead works”. The spotless Son of God shed his blood and made atonement for our sins. His work is complete, and we cannot add to it, only accept it. (Hebrews 1:3, Romans 5:8-11).

So, we must have a change of mind not only about sin but about ourselves. Christ alone justifies us, just as if we had never sinned! Salvation is a gift received through faith.

Living in Repentance

Repentance leads to confession, which opens the way for us to receive forgiveness and every other blessing from God. Repentance is not a once-off event but a way of living; we live in repentance and our attitude is one of repentance.

Repentance must guide our thoughts and actions for the rest of our lives. It is our foundation.

Join me as we continue on our journey through “A Life of Faith.”

Blog series Five – Principles for Life in Christ:

Episode 2: Faith Towards God

Episode 3: Instructions about Baptisms

Episode 4: The Seven Baptisms

Episode 5: Baptism into the Father and His Love

Episode 6: Laying on of Hands

Episode 7: Resurrection of the Dead

Episode 8: Judgement, Eternal Judgement

Episode 9: Growing Up in Christ