Reviewing Chapter 3 of Jeff Brown ‘s book:

Repentance, The First Foundation

I wanted to read this book, not only because my friend wrote it, but also because I was genuinely interested to see how a true discipleship course could be built on Hebrews 6. I must say that so far, I’m quite surprised, and it certainly seems to be solid.
Much of what Jeff Brown has discussed up to this point is clear as the nose on your face,” but he makes a surprising and unexpected claim at the beginning of this chapter. And that is: a lack of repentance actually opens the door to the demonic. As a spiritual warrior, I certainly realize this is true. No repentance, no honest Faith Life.

In starting this chapter, Jeff not only makes the novel claim regarding the demonic but points out the solid historical evidence; that repentance has always been a part of the Biblical message, even to the Jews. Truly, Repentance is always key to spiritual life from Genesis 1:1 through the last verse of Revelation.

Probably the strongest verse Jeff mentions explaining repentance is Acts 2:38-39. In which Peter, in his sermon, tells people to repent and then be baptized to be forgiven for their sins. Doing this, he says, will cause them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And certainly, every spiritual foundations book must include preparation to receive the Spirit.

Jeff goes on to define repentance by referring to the Greek word metanoeo (\mu\epsilon\tau\alpha\nu\ omicron\epsilon\omega). And he explains the definition is to think differently. How better to define repentance than to look at its meaning in the Greek?

He goes on to point out that repentance is not only a turn to something, but a way to turn away from everything which offends a holy God.

I thought it was a huge thing that Jeff got so personal here – that he mentioned his own experience. He confessed stealing in his own background and then, in order to honestly repent, returned each of the stolen items one by one. Recovery and rescue from alcoholism have been a big part of my life story, and making amends is a part of this recovery. And certainly, it is an overlooked and undermentioned part of a good discipleship program.

Jeff mentions repentance from “Dead Works” as a discipleship foundation. Here Jeff mentions that there are six foundations of Christianity. And that repentance is the first. Certainly, this is the case and structure of this verse in Hebrews 6. But I felt like his previous chapter of asking the question “Who is the Christ?” was a needed foundation also. So, although there are only six points mentioned in this verse in Hebrews. I think it’s critical that the previous chapter on answering “Who do you say that I am?” come first for the new believer. So I think seven topics are more ideal as Foundations for discipleship training. Although this is not specifically mentioned in this verse.

Additionally, I have always thought that somehow training a new believer in the difference between walking in the Spirit and living in a works mindset needs to be dealt with in a discipleship  course. And here, Jeff has perhaps stated the very best way I have heard to bring this into the discipleship discussion.

He does this by pointing out repentance is to be from “dead” works. And defines dead works as hollow tasks that result from self-effort – which cannot be construed to be spiritual. ​

A well-known Quaker teacher in my area of the world really hit the importance of this on the head, when he said, “Harmonize your practice with your principle.” – Max Carter. This helps new converts get started on the right track by realizing that only works produced by spiritual leading can have spiritual results.

Knowing that true repentance does this encourages the new believer to be in the Spirit from the beginning.  And understanding that repentance from self-works is the road to Spiritual life starts the journey on solid footing.

Once saved always saved can be a very limiting thought for new believers. ​Salvation is Progressive. ​The Greek word for salvation is Sozo. One of the critical facts about this word is that it is not only present tense but progressive tense. A new believer must understand not only that they need to be saved but to be “being” saved.

Jeff points out that Matthew 7:21-23 indicates that salvation must be an ongoing experience. That someone having an initial experience can in no way be the whole story. It must continue; it must start at salvation but keep on growing.

The fact is, we cannot be pleasing to the Lord unless we stay in the Lord. Jeff spends quite some time to explain that our condition, in which we find Christ is lost, undone, and dead. And that sin has rendered us this way. Repentance is the only means to escape this seperated-from-God condition.

Jeff clarifies and reminds that repentance is not self-work.  But is actually a freedom from the law of work as explained in Romans 8:2. I don’t think Jeff mentioned this verse but it teaches us that only the law of Life can free us from the law of death.

Jeff doesn’t use these exact words, but it becomes quite plain that there is something we have to do based on a true understanding of salvation. And that SOMETHING IS knowing deeply that there is NOTHING we can do to save us. Christ Alone can provide us this spiritual life and power IF we repent from “dead works.” So there is a right condition of heart for us to have that leads to real repentance – but real repentance is definitely a work of Jesus on our behalf in our life.

To sum this up succinctly! Our only life is in Christ. And repentance helps Christ be our only life.