Let’s start with the first foundational pillar in the Doctrine of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-20):
repentance from dead works.

We all understand what good works are—feeding the poor, helping the needy. For the most relevant example for our purpose at hand, let's look at the kinds of good things people will cite at the judgment scene Jesus describes:

“But Lord, didn’t we preach in your name? Cast out devils? Feed the hungry? Clothe the poor?”

These people cite good works. And yes, Christ did tell us to do those things. But what does Jesus say to them?

"Depart from me, you workers of iniquity."

Wait—so they did good things, even obedience to some of Christ's commission, but were also doing works of iniquity? Paul tells us plainly what those are: the works of darkness. And he warns:

“Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom.”

Jesus is the one telling this judgment story. He’s saying that even while people are doing the good things He instructed—preaching, casting out devils—they’re also doing works of iniquity.

The Bible is clear: Do not be deceived. Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom.

So what are dead works? They are good things done apart from true surrender to God. You're doing good, but alongside iniquity. That’s the problem.

Jesus said:

“A good tree cannot produce corrupt fruit.”

So if you see corrupt fruit in your life, then whatever "good" you think you’re doing might seem good contextually, but it’s still corrupt fruit—dead works. And if it’s a dead work, it doesn’t count as righteous fruit in your life.

It’s not that the act itself is wrong—it’s that you haven’t truly surrendered. The fruit reveals the truth. If the tree is producing corrupt fruit, it’s not a good tree.

We may consider these works good, so much so that we’d even cite them to God at the judgment! But Jesus makes it plain: if you’re producing corrupt fruit, it’s not coming from a good tree.

Why Do Good Works Matter?

If you're already doing good things, why not do them the way God asked? Why not go all in?

Because you’re not willing to give up the evil works. That’s the real issue. You want to keep that iniquity protected in your heart—some secret sin or personal excuse you’re not willing to surrender.

“Well, I can’t help it, I’m just human.”

So was Jesus. He was as human as we are. He was tempted, yet without sin. And the same Spirit that was in Christ now dwells in you—if you're truly His. That Spirit gives you power over sin.

So repentance from dead works means this: you’ve been doing good things, sure—but you haven't surrendered the rest.

Trying to be moral, religious, or generous while continuing in willful sin is dead works. It’s good by appearance, but dead because it’s entangled with corruption.

What Repentance Really Means

The Grace of God Empowers Holiness. The word repent gives us a helpful visual. Think of "pent"—like pentagon (five sides), pentateuch (five books), etc. And the prefix re- means "again." So it’s like turning around—letting go of something and grabbing hold of something else.

You were holding on to your own goodness, your own works, your own way. To repent is to let go of that and take hold of what Christ offers instead—which includes surrender, obedience, and real transformation.

True salvation is not without works. We're not saved by works, but neither are we saved without works. That’s why the second pillar, faith toward God, goes hand-in-hand.

Faith Toward God

Faith is active. It must be alive.

“Faith without works is dead.”

Faith is not just belief or mental assent. If your salvation is just a mental decision, then you’re just... mental. That’s not faith. True faith leads to obedience—it’s Spirit-led and fruit-bearing.

That means your faith shouldn't be producing works of iniquity. Yes, you’ll make mistakes—you’re human. You’ll say the wrong thing sometimes. You may need to apologize. Scripture describes this as getting your feet dirty. That’s why Jesus taught the foot-washing ordinance—to remind us that we get dusty feet as we walk in this world, but without wallowing in filth.

There’s a difference between stumbling and practicing sin. Saying, “In the heat of the moment, I slipped up and said something I shouldn't have. I’m sorry,” is not a work of iniquity. That’s humility.

But that is a far cry from something such as, "I slipped and fell into your wife's bed for four months. I'm sorry.” That’s not confession with repentance—that’s iniquity. That’s deception. And Scripture says:

“Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

A Form of Godliness Without Power

What we've created is a form of godliness that denies the power to live righteously. We say we’re godly, but claim we can't stop sinning.

That's self-deception.
That’s not biblical Christianity.

Salvation isn’t by good works, but it results in good works.

“We are created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10).

If you're not walking in those works, you're not living in the salvation Christ offers. If you think you're walking in those works while you are also walking in darkness, then you are not living in the light. Jesus makes it clear that the two are mutually exclusive, not cohabitating.

False Religion vs True Faith

There are two main counterfeits:

1. The open contradiction: “Yeah, I do some bad stuff, but I also do good! I go to church, I preach, I even cast out devils… I’m fine.”
2. The passive deception: “Well, I don’t do the really bad stuff… but I don’t do anything God asked, either. I prayed a prayer once. I’m good.”

Neither of these reflect biblical Christianity. The first mixes good with evil—dead works. The second is faith without obedience—dead faith.

Faith toward God is more than belief. It’s trust in action.