Simply changing outward behavior is not repentance. We at times change our behavior for self-centered reasons. Sometimes we change in an attempt to atone for my sins.  Such change will only make my sinfulness more sinful.

This is the basis for the reference in Hebrews of repenting from ‘dead works'.  A dead work is a work that is not done with the leading and empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Hence any good work a non-Christian would attempt is a dead work.  And many types o…