The Word of God reveals carnality and exposes the believer to sinfulness in both intention and action (Heb 4:12). This episode presents the either/or option that all of have when the Word of God exposes carnality in our lives. We can either receive the Lord's correction, repent, and grow closer in our relationship with the Lord, or we ignore his voice and harden our hearts. If we choose the latter, we should read the Scripture anyway, knowing that a revelation of God's gracious character can lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4)
God’s gifts in Conversion that Lead to Repentance
The circumcision of Christ initiated at conversion makes possible repentance from dead works and the repentance from the old self. This episode highlights the various Scriptural signs that indicate the circumcision of Christ, and these henceforth enable the believer to repent in the ongoing process of sanctification. The believer is first born again by the Word of God (1 Pet 1:23), made a partaker of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), and given a new principle from which he "rejoices with the law of God in the inner man" (Rom 7:22). I provide my testimony as a convert coming out of Catholicism where the above 3 signs were evident, even though I hadn't little exposure to Scripture. My conversion led to a hyper-sensitive conscience, which was the Spirit's foundation in me that assisted in repentance.
A Roadmap of Repentance from the Old Self
This episode begins the unpacking of the full implications of repentance from the old self, which is the ultimate objective of repentance from dead works. Repentance from the carnality of the old sinful self requires discernment of what is fleshly and what is spiritual. This discernment is made possible by the circumcision of Christ. The "cutting away of the body of sin" makes carnality evident and the believer is able to discern flesh from spirit. The discernment made available by the circumcision of Christ is amplified by the Scripture which cuts between soul and spirit, exposing believers to their own carnality. The believer in sanctification is called to continually repent of carnality made evident by the circumcision of Christ and the Word of God.
Repentance from the Old Self
This episode contains my personal testimony of the futility of merely repenting from transgressions without repenting, turning away from the old sinful self. Many Christians see their salvation experience primarily in terms of resolution of sin-debt, without dealing with the primary culprit: the old self, the flesh. Sanctification is so designed to bring every believer to abandon hope of living the Christian life in their own flesh. This repentance from the old self (the full expression of repentance from dead works) lays the foundation for life in the spirit.
Repent of everything, especially the old self
This episode highlights the necessity of repenting from dead works in its fullest sense: we repent of transgressions AND we abandon hope in the flesh itself, specifically its ability to live the Christian life. If we don't embrace this holistic approach to repentance, we likely fall into the Galatian error, which is living the Christian life in the power of the flesh. Based on this all-encompassing repentance, we make progress in sanctification by identifying with the circumcision of Christ (the cutting away of the flesh) and the death of the old self on the cross, based on Romans 6:7. Holistic repentance from dead works makes sanctification possible.
“Loving God completely: the standard for good works”
This introductory episode defines good works as those that fulfill the great commandments, loving God and loving neighbor. Since all mankind since the fall is incapable of fulfilling these commandments, no "good" work is even possible. The episode answers one objection raised by many that unbelievers can do good works. While works toward neighbor might be outwardly "good," if actions do not have fulfillment of the great commandment as their objective, then so-called "good" works miss the mark. "Good" means little without reference to God, so unbelievers cannot do good works. Repentance from dead works refers to the changing of the mind about one's own sin and abilities to perform good works. Coupled with faith in Christ, salvation is the result.
Christ, our True Identity
This episode unpacks the process of sanctification, in which we progressively abandon fleshly identities and make Christ our true identity. It culminates with 1 Peter 2:9-11 which describes our true identity as a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." This identity puts fleshly identities in perspective, Peter describing Christians as "aliens" who reject worldly lusts. Put together with 1 John 2:16, Christians are those who reject fleshly identities borne out of the boastful pride of life. The implication is that identity politics should never be embraced by a Christian.
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