What are Dead Works
Dead works are works that appear good externally but that spring from a corrupt motive or done for the wrong reason. Therefore they are like filthy garments in God's eyes. It is like a person who is filled with leprosy giving you a first class apple to eat with his leprous hand. Would you take it and eat it? The apple may be good, but it is contaminated with the germs of leprosy in that person's hands. It is the same way when we offer a good thing to God but contaminated with the wrong motive. It could be a prayer, you could sing a solo in a Christian meeting, and your aim may be to get honour for yourself. Well, what is that - a good work or a bad work? - It is a dead work. It is important for us to understand this. It is well known among believers that "The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins" ( 1 John 1:7 ), but what is not so well known is that "The blood of Christ must also cleanse us from dead works before we can serve the living God" ( He