In the book of Hebrews, the writer admonishes us to grow up in Christ and leave the elementary things behind. If you know the elemental principles, you will understand and comprehend the more complex beliefs. You do first grade before you advance to second grade. The writer then mentions six essential principles that are pivotal to our faith.
Heb. 6:1-2 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 of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
We will spend the next few weeks looking at each of these separately. Let's start with repentance from dead works.
The first thing Jesus said when He started his ministry was: "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand - Matt 4:17.
Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
To repent means turning away, going in the opposite direction, or thinking differently. The Greek word "metanoia" means to put your mind next to or let your mind accompany the mind of God. Repentance involves your mind before it involves your actions. You have to be convicted before you will change your behavior. The prophet Isaiah tells us what we must do.
Is. 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him;
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
Repentance is a work of the Holy Spirit in us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins, we step in the right direction. Grace demands that we respond and take action - Eph 2:8-9. Repentance is what God provides so that we can be saved and changed. Why do we all need repentance?
We have all sinned and fallen short of God's plan for our life - Rom 3:23. The consequences of our sin and our fallen nature results in death and separation from God's best for us - Rom 6:23.
Rom. 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned.
When we refuse to repent, sin wins. There is not one person alive that does not need repentance. We have all gone astray like lost sheep and went our own way - Isaiah 53:6. We all need a savior.
Matt. 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
Rom. 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man, someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
What redeems us from our sin?
The blood of Jesus is the only thing that can redeem us from our sins. Why would God choose blood? Life is in the blood, and shedding his blood is giving his life - Heb 9:22.
1 Pet. 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
What do we need to do?
Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said to them, "Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Repentance is where we see our condition, get convicted and remorseful, and then change our thinking and acts.
2 Cor. 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Repentance is more than feeling sorry. Repentance is more than admitting you got caught. Repentance is changing the way you do life. For example, if I stole your car and asked forgiveness, gave it back, and then stole it again, you would not think I repented, would you?
The story of Zacchaeus is a great example of someone who repented and changed his ways.
Luke 19:8-9 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham.
What is important to remember is that repentance is ongoing. Daily we submit our thinking to the Holy Spirit. Daily we renew our minds - Rom 12:1-3. Daily we respond to the unction of his conviction - John 16:8-11. We must stay in the place of repentance so that we do not allow our hearts to be hardened again - Heb 4:7.
We are imperfect, and we will sin again - 1 John 1:8-9. All it takes is to get honest with yourself and bring it to God, who is always ready to forgive and restore us.
Is. 43:25 "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance;
Let us contend together; State your case that you may be acquitted.
We are praying for you all daily.