Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto maturity; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God... Hebrews 6:1
DEAD WORKS in Greek is Nekros Ergon.
Nekros (dead) comes from the primary word Nekus (a corpse).
Ergon means the things we do, our deeds.
We are to repent of DEAD WORKS and do LIVING WORKS, works of faith. If we are spiritually a dead corpse we will do dead works – the works which dead people do.
If we are ALIVE in Christ by faith we will do living works, the works which those who are raised from the dead do, the works which He does.
This term DEAD WORKS is very insightful. It doesn’t necessarily define such works as inherently bad or evil, but as DEAD – that is, non-productive, useless, a waste of God’s time, and giving no glory to Him.
Ian Vincent 
July 31, 2012 at 6:52 pm
In other words, our standard of right and wrong doesn’t matter, and this rings true before and after our union with Christ. Just because we have a spiritual union with Him, does that make everything we do for Christ alive? No, but only that which originates in Him and led of the Spirit is alive, for He is the source of that life.
August 2, 2012 at 1:46 am
Amen bro.
1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1Co 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Co 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s good.
The context of these verses is food, drink etc. things which are intrinsically morally neutral.
Things which are immoral are always unlawful.
Paul is not saying that literally all things are lawful for him, but rather the things, in context, he is referring to.
Morally neutral things, like food, drink, certain customs, certain kinds of art and entertainment. music etc. are lawful, but they may not necessarily be helpful, and they may not edify.
Carrying this over into Christendom, we can find a parallel: that there are many things Christians do as “Church” which are not unlawful and not immoral, but they do not edify – do not reveal Jesus Christ and conform us to Him.
Christians should be far more self-critical, and self-discerning, and examine whether the things they do as “Church” are dead works or living works.