Dead Works
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God (Hebrews 6:1, NKJV).
The Bible tells us we need to repent from dead works. 
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14, NKJV). Our spirit is our God conscience - I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1, NKJV). Our soul (heart) has an evil conscience until it is purified. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22, NKJV). Our conscience which is our spirit bears witness with the Law of God which is written in our hearts. The Law of God written in our hearts and in our mind comes alive when we are born-again. Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness (Romans 2:15, NKJV).
What then is dead works?
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only (James 2:14-26, NKJV).
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Dead works I believe are categorised as the following:
a) A selfishly motivated desire for the things of God for one’s own benefit. We can seek to satisfy the flesh when we should do all things for God's Glory. We may do good things for the wrong reasons. Good works should always be about the motive of our heart and why we choose to do things. Do we do it because we love God and want to please Him, or do we do it because we feel we have to, or because we are trying to get God's or someone else's approval?
b) Faith without works: When we say we have faith but our actions don't show it. One of the highest forms of worship to God is obedience to do what He tells us. This can be through the spoken word (Rhema) or written word (Bible). When we do not obey, this is dead works. Another example is when we are simply readers of the word and not doers of the word. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22, NKJV).
c) Works without faith. We may believe we earn our salvation with 'good works', when the Bible clearly says that our salvation is a free gift given by God. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5, NKJV). Paul teaches in Ephesians that we are justified by faith alone, while James teaches we are justified by faith plus works. This means we cannot be justified (made righteous) by our own 'good works'. It is only Jesus working through us that our good works are counted as righteous, and our faith made perfect. Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? (James 2:22, NKJV). In fact 'Faith with Works' releases our rewards from God as part of our salvation process. Faith is believing. You believe, then you 'do' what God shows you to do!
(d) Religion: When we are in a church doing what the church believes is right, when it is actually against the will of God!
(e) Striving to become more righteous in our own strength. But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6, NKJV). Our righteousness comes from Christ alone. Nothing we do outside of Christ can make us righteous. We may even think we need to strive to do 'good works' and act righteous to have approval from God or others. We need to put on the robe of righteousness and yeild to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to crucify the flesh. Declaring Kingdom promises and who 'we are in Christ' each day empowers the Holy Spirit to do the work in us. The power of the Holy Spirit working through us changes us into the Christ-like creations we are pre-destined to be, we cannot do it ourselves.
(PRAYER) - "Dear God I repent for dead works. I have strived in my own strength to become righteous, when it is the power of the righteousness of Christ working through me that changes me. I repent also for striving to earn favour and approval from You or others by doing good works. I repent for entering into the churches dead works. I repent for seeking and doing the things of God for the purpose of selfishly motivated desires, when it should have been to glorify You, and of course just simply because I 'love You'. I repent also for ever believing that 'works' can earn my salvation. Salvation is a free gift given from You and no matter how hard I try I can never earn my salvation. Fill me to overflowing with Your perfect love, so I can walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. I present my body to You as a living and holy sacrifice for Your good works and good purposes. I repent also for lack of obedience to You and Your word. Teach me Your voice, lead me and guide me so my actions can reflect my faith. Prompt me to be a doer of Your word and not just a reader. I command all striving, including martyr-based, pleaser-based, pride, self, perfectionism and everything else to do with 'dead works' to leave me immediately in the name of Jesus Christ - Amen."
So what, then, are Good Works?
Good works are Biblical definitions of 'good things' which are done heartily in obedience and love to God, for His glory, in an attitude of faith and thanksgiving!!
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10, NKJV). In other words, the only good works that are acceptable to God are those which come out of a right relationship with Him through faith!!
By Tania Francis