By Derek Prince
Hebrews 6:1–3 speaks of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God to be part of the foundation of our faith.
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles [basic truths] of Christ, let us go on to perfection [completion or maturity], 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. And this we will do if God permits.” (Hebrews 6:1–3)
What are dead works? I think dead works are anything we do that is not done in faith towards God. You may have been a very regular churchgoer. You may have given money to the poor. You may have said prayers. But if it was not done in faith, it was all dead works. We must turn away from everything not done in faith.
That does not necessarily mean that you have been living a sinful life, but it can mean you have just not been alive to God because faith has not come into your heart and brought the life of God into what you do.
Faith alone gives life to what we believe and what we do.