Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith toward God”
I still remember my elementary schools in Metuchen, NJ. I attended Mildred B. Moss school, a few blocks from my house, from kindergarten to fifth grade. Next, I went to Franklin School for sixth to eighth grade. Then it was graduation time and off to high school!
In Hebrews 6, it talks about leaving the elementary principles of Christ. What are they? “Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works…”. Dead works are the good things we do to be accepted and favored by God. They are also things we do to try to get God to bless us. Dead works are when we approach God from the basis of our own works and not in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
The difference between a good work and a dead work is the motive of our heart. God wants us to do good works. He created us to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). His Spirit leads us to do good works. However, we don’t do these works to be saved or accepted by God. After receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are already saved an accepted no matter what good works we do (Hebrews 9:14). So, friends it’s graduation day! Leave the dead works behind. Throw a party! Celebrate! Enjoy
