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“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 resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
Hebrews 6:1-2 (New King James Version)
Repentance is one of the basic principles of the doctrine of Christ as mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-2. Repentance was not necessary until man fell into sin through disobedience and sin leads to death. Indeed, “… the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23, NKJV). Today, “… the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21, NKJV). To relate with God, we are therefore required to repent from works that lead to death.
We cannot be effective and fully enjoy our relationship with God if we do not repent from our dead works. We must bear in mind that the starting point of our walk with God is repentance and nothing else. The word repentance is from the Greek word ‘metanoia’ which is translated ‘change of mind’ in English. In effect, we can relate properly with God when our attitude towards sin changes completely. There must be a real change in our minds and hearts toward sin and its consequences. Repentance is necessary if we are to relate with God.
John the Baptist preached repentance
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Matthew 3:1-2 (New King James Version)
John the Baptist’s main assignment was to call people to repentance. All through his ministry, we see how he preached earnestly about the subject of repentance. Clearly, he preached the message of repentance because God gave him the mandate to do so. I suspect he came under pressure to change his message of repentance. This is because calling people to turn away from their dead works is not a likable message as repentance attacks sin. Many people cannot stand it when sin is exposed in their lives. However, it is this type of message that would rescue us from eternal destruction—without the preaching of repentance we cannot be saved.
Jesus preached repentance
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say,
Matthew 4:17 (New King James Version)
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Jesus preached about repentance. He preached that people must turn away from their dead works because the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus constantly called us to repentance. It is essential for anybody who wants to follow God to have a real change of mind about sin.
There are Christians who are born again, yet, their attitude towards sin has not changed. It appears as though their salvation has not affected their lives. For a Christian to enjoy all the benefits that come with salvation, he or she must truly turn away from sin. The inability of a believer to turn away from sin allows Satan to keep him or her in bondage. Why are some believers still controlled by Satan even after being born again? It is simply because the power of sin has not been totally broken out of their lives. To continue to live in sin after salvation is to continue to live under the clutches of Satan. This allows Satan an upper hand over such a believer.
Avoid being entangled, allow the Holy Spirit
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,
Galatians 5:1 (New King James Version)
and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.’’
Here, believers are admonished not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. It is our duty to ensure that we are not ensnared after salvation. The truth is that there is a possibility to continue in sinful acts after becoming born again. The only way we can avoid any kind of slavery is to have a real change of mind towards sin. That is to say that we must actually turn away from sin and all forms of evil. It is only when we repent from sin that Satan cannot have the right to keep us in bondage. When we truly shun sin, we nullify Satan’s power to control and dominate our lives.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
Galatians 2:20 (New King James Version)
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
What Paul is saying is that his old nature is crucified with Christ. The old man who was under the control and influence of Satan is crucified with Christ. His new life is superior to the life of the old man. The new life gave him the privilege to walk in dimensions that he had never walked before. He ensured that his old man never came back to life again. He worked on himself to guarantee that the old man never came back to reduce the superiority and the quality life he was living. The change that Paul experienced was a genuine one.
As believers, we must ensure that we turn away from the dead works of the old man. We must keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is always there for us and we can actually count on the Holy Spirit for help. That is why Paul said “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV). As long as we commit, we can do it.
Let’s keep the fire burning until the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!
This is the way a new life in every aspect life. Thanks sharing.
Thank you Sir for such a season message. Messages like this is needed in such a Era.