The Foundation of Christian Growth (Part 1): Repentance From Dead Works & Faith

Introduction – The Call to Move On

The writer of Hebrews gives us a challenging invitation:

“Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.”
(Hebrews 6:1, NASB95)

This passage reminds us that to truly grow in Christ, we must turn away from dead works—those things we do to try and earn what God has already given.

Dead works often take the form of:

• Striving – working as though God’s love depends on our effort.

• Rituals – outward acts of religion that look holy but cannot cleanse the heart.

• Traditions – practices we cling to for security, even when they replace true faith in Christ.

None of these bring us closer to God. They are only shadows of the reality we find in Jesus. As Hebrews 9 reminds us, the old covenant was a copy—a pointer to the true sanctuary where Christ now intercedes. Yet even as believers today, we often drift back to our own shadows: measuring our worth by attendance, service, or religious performance instead of resting in the finished work of Christ.

1. The Old Covenant as Copies

Hebrews 9:8–9 explains that the tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices were not the reality—they were symbols pointing to something greater. The lampstand, the altar, the blood of animals—they could cleanse the flesh temporarily, but never the conscience.

These were copies. The real access to God would only come through Jesus Christ.

Application Today: Whenever we lean more on spiritual practices than on Christ Himself, we risk clinging to shadows instead of the Savior.

Reflective Question: Do I find my joy in Jesus’ sacrifice, or do I depend on Christian activities to give me joy?

2. The Danger of Returning to the Law

Hebrews 9:11–15 proclaims the good news: Christ entered the greater and perfect tabernacle, offering His own blood once for all, securing eternal redemption.

For the Jewish believers of that time, the temptation was to return to temple rituals. For us today, the danger is subtler—but just as real.

We fall into “law-keeping” when we:

• Treat evangelism as a way to earn points with God.

• Believe church attendance makes us more righteous.

• Use spiritual gifts as proof of holiness.

• Depend on giving, serving, or Sabbath-keeping as the basis of salvation.

All of these are good in themselves—but if they become our source of righteousness, they are nothing more than modern “copies.”

3. Dead Works vs. Living Faith

Hebrews 9:14 declares that the blood of Christ cleanses our conscience from dead works so we can serve the living God.

Dead works are lifeless—they can never produce joy or freedom. Living faith, however, flows from what Christ has already done. It’s faith that produces life, as John 20:31 says:

“These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Application Today: If our assurance rests in what we do, we are still in dead works. If it rests in Christ, we live with joy and freedom.

4. The Once-for-All Sacrifice and Our Hope

The climax of Hebrews 9:24–28 is breathtaking: Christ offered Himself once for all, putting away sin forever. Now He appears in heaven for us, and one day He will return—not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those eagerly waiting for Him.

His first coming removed sin.
His second coming will complete salvation.

When we trust in our own performance, it’s as though His once-for-all sacrifice wasn’t enough. But when we trust Him, we can rest secure, joyfully awaiting His return.

In Summary: Moving From Copies to Christ

Hebrews 6 calls us to repent from dead works. Hebrews 9 shows us why: the old covenant was only a shadow, a copy of the reality found in Jesus.

For us today, “copies” may look like:

• Using evangelism as performance.

• Treating church attendance as proof of holiness.

• Relying on spiritual gifts or religious habits as the measure of faith.

• Defining our worth by contributions or ministry output.

But all of these, while good, cannot save us. They are the by-products of faith, not the source of it.

The gospel calls us to something greater:

• Resting in the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ.

• Living with a cleansed conscience.

• Serving God with joy, not striving.

• Eagerly awaiting the day He returns.

From copies to Christ—that is the journey of repentance from dead works into living faith.