Wednesday: July 14, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Question 87 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: What is repentance unto life?

Answer: Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.

In several spots around the city of Tyler, Texas, someone has paid for billboards that read:

“The ABC’s of salvation:

• Admit that you are a sinner.
• Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Call on the name of the Lord.”

None of these are wrong but they do not say enough. The biblical and historical way of salvation is to turn from sin to God in Jesus Christ. However, repentance for the the forgiveness of sins does not make for a catchy billboard, with blocks that one may recall from their childhood, along with the ABC’s. 

Repentance is not something that a man can do, yet he must do it to see the kingdom of God. Jesus answered and said to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) The Pharisee Nicodemus understood that a man cannot cause himself to be born, much-less, born again. This is the reason that he inquired, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” (John 3:4) Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8)

Therefore, the Westminster Puritans are correct to say that repentance unto life is a saving grace because repentance unto life is the gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul said, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Tuesday: July 13, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Question 86: What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

The apostle Paul wrote of both Jew and Greek, Romans 10:13 “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” Then he asked in Romans 10:14, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” Then he said in Romans 10:16, “However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” Nonetheless, he said in Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

In the book, All of Grace, Charles Spurgeon said, “Faith is the simplest of all things, and perhaps because of its simplicity it is the more difficult to explain.” Then he explained faith in this way: “It is made up of three things--knowledge, belief, and trust.” Knowledge comes first, then the mind goes on to believe that these things are true, finally one puts his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. “Faith is not a blind thing; for faith begins with knowledge. It is not a speculative thing; for faith believes facts of which it is sure. It is not an unpractical, dreamy thing; for faith trusts, and stakes its destiny upon the truth of revelation.” He goes on to say, “Faith is believing that Christ is what He is said to be, and that He will do what He has promised to do, and then to expect this of Him.”

The apostle Paul wrote that faith expresses itself outwardly in confession and inwardly in the heart. (cf. Rom. 10:9) It is in the heart that a person holds what is precious to him and Jesus said, Matthew 12:34 “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”

Lastly, the writer of Hebrews 11:1, said, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Many have knowledge of the gospel but do not believe. Many believe but do not really trust. Faith is having knowledge, believing and trusting. This I believe is the best definition of faith.

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Monday: July 12, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Question 85: What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin?

Answer: To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.

You ought to know by now that there are some differences in my understanding of Scripture from that of the Westminster Puritans. The Westminster Puritans understood the Scriptures through the lens of Covenantal Theology. Covenantal Theology views all of Scripture through the Abrahamic covenant. However, I see several covenants throughout Scripture. There is the covenant that God made with Adam but Adam broke that covenant; however, God made a promise, that the seed of the woman would defeat the seed of the serpent, though he would be injured. (cf. Gn. 3:15) 

There is also the covenant that God made with Noah and all of creation. The covenant that God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There is the covenant that God made with Moses and all of Israel in the desert. There is the covenant that God made with David, that one of his sons would sit on the throne forever. Lastly, there is a promise of a New Covenant in the book of Jeremiah. I believe that all of these covenants are fulfilled in Christ Jesus. 

After rising from the dead, the eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee which Jesus designated. (Mt. 28:16-17) And Jesus came up and spoke to them. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:18-20, NASB)

Jesus is the seed of the woman who defeated the Serpent. Jesus is the seed of Abraham through his wife Sarah. Jesus is the son of David, who is to sit perpetually on the throne. The apostle Peter wanted to make tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. (Mt. 17:4) Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets. In other words, Moses and Elijah represent the Old Testament; however, God said of Jesus, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Mt. 17:5, NASB)

The covenantal theologian wants you to come to Christ then sends you back to the Law to observe it; however, this is not what the New Testament writers taught. The Law is the tutor to lead us to Christ so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. We are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:24-26) “The Law can bring us to Christ but no further.” (Comfort) 

Yes, have repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21) However, this does not mean turning to the Law as a guide. This does mean putting to death the deeds of the flesh with its passions and desires. It means to walk by the Spirit of God. (Gal. 5:16-25)

To escape the wrath of God, do us because of sin; change your mind and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and observe all that Jesus taught in the writings of the apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, given to you as a pledge of your inheritance. (Eph. 1:14)

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Lord’s Day: July 11, 2021

Today I would like to write an open-letter to my 36 year old nephew, Dustin Chance Weeks. An open-letter because Dustin was found dead on the morning of July 6, 2021 and you may glean something from my letter to Dustin.

Dear Dustin,

Today, your our family and friends are holding a memorial service in honor of your life. You are worthy of honor, as are all men, because you were created in the image of God. I first meet you at another man’s funeral service, that of your grandfather’s, whom you called Paw. I meet Paw once before his death but I feel as though I know him through the eyes of his daughter, my wife, and your Aunt Darlene. She has trained your children, since the time that they were very little, to call her Aunt Favorite. You were but five years old when Darlene and I married. 

During the early years of our marriage I saw and played with you often. We lived just a few miles away, as I was stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana. We would come up to Stanley to see Maw and all of Darlene’s family, and you would often come down to us, and stay with us. I remember how you went squirrel hunting with me. It had been raining, so the creek was running swiftly. We attempted to cross the creek, balancing ourselves on a log, and you fell in the creek. I had to go in and get you out and carry you on my back, back to the house. Darlene reminded me of another time that we were fishing and you were about to step on a water-moccasin snake, but I pushed you out of the way. Everyone recalls the story of how you put your big fish back, at your Aunt Kayla’s house, because you thought that I said it had Aides, when I actually said, “That fish is full of eggs.” That is a good memory and everyone gets a chuckle from it.

Yesterday, I was looking for something else, when I found the plastic holder in which I use to carry pictures in my wallet. In this were pictures of Darlene, our children (Bethany and Daniel), something of my grandfather’s, and a picture of you. In the pre-smartphone days, one carried pictures in his wallet incase someone asked about his family; also, that he could see them when far away. I believe that that picture was in my wallet, when I went away to Korea. You were also in the Army, during a time of war, and you went away to Iraq. I do not know what you saw there but I know that it changed you in some way.

Your family dynamics parallel our own. Darlene came into our marriage with Daniel and I adopted him as my own son. Your mother Rayleen came into marriage to Ricky with you and he adopted you as his son. Darlene gave birth to our daughter Bethany and your mother gave birth to your sister Brianne; you and Daniel are four years and some change apart in age; Brianne and Bethany are two years and some change apart in age. When we were first married, your mother and aunt Darlene were sisters, but they have really really become close during the past few years. As they have gotten older, the few years in age between them as dwindled away. 

I remember seeing you and your Stanley high school team when the state baseball championship and I remember you staying with us as you tried out for a college team. You stayed with us often at Ft. Polk, in our home in Garland, TX, but I did not see you for 3 years when we went away to Colorado. When we returned and moved to Whitehouse, TX, you were a teenager and becoming a man. You stayed with us a few times at our home in Whitehouse for varying reasons: when trying out for a college baseball team and the last time was for some training for your job. The desk and chair in my study from which I am writing this letter, is in the very spot in which you laid while staying with us.

Dustin, I am writing this letter to you because I miss you and want to tell you that I love you and have fond memories of you. Your father, mother, daughters, uncles, aunts, cousins, daughters and friends miss you. Your nephew is to young to even know that you are gone but we will not forget you and will hold the memories of you all the days that we walk on the earth. Good bye Dustin! I love you and miss you, but I hope to see in in the resurrection of all the dead on the last day.

In Jesus Christ,

Uncle Mike

Saturday: July 10, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

In my letter to you yesterday morning, I wrote that I agreed with the Westminster Puritans on their answer to question 83, that God sees some sins more heinous than others. I agreed based on Scripture alone, but  I warned to not think that God sees as we see.

Question 84: What doth every sin deserve?

Answer: Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.

This morning I read:

Galatians 3:10

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”

There in lies a huge problem for all of us. Question 82 asked, “Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?” We agreed with the Westminster Puritans, that know one is able, but all breaks them daily in thought, word and deed. 

A question that is often spoken during times of distress: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” 

Romans 3:10-12

as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;

THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,

THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;

ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;

THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,

THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”

We are not good people. We all deserve God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come. Therefore, any good thing that we have in this life is because the Lord God is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.” (Ex. 34:6) We have a tendency to measure ourselves by ourselves and measure others by our own standard. But God measures all of mankind by his perfect Law (Jam. 1:25) and all fail the test. (Rom. 3:23)

On Monday morning we will explore how we may escape the wrath and curse that is to come!

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Friday: July 9, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Question 83 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

Are all transgression of the law equally heinous?

The answer given:

Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

The Roman governor Pilate believed that he had authority to release or crucify Jesus. Jesus did consider it sin that Pilate should crucify him, but Jesus considered the sin of those who turned him over to Pilate to be greater. 

Jesus answered Pilot, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” (Jn. 19:11, NASB)

By this text, I agree with the puritans, that some sins are more heinous in the sight of God than others, but I do not think that we should believe that the sins we consider more heinous, are the sins that God considers more heinous. 

We should all consider that God sees sin differently than we do; for God sees anger and slander as murder, (Mt. 5:22) lust as adultery, (Mt. 5:28) and the making oaths by things that we have no control over as lying. (Mt. 5:37) Speaking against Jesus (seen) is forgivable, but speaking against the Holy Spirit (unseen) is unforgivable. (Mt. 12:32)

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Thursday: July 8, 2021

Answer: No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

Dear Neighbor,

The preacher in Ecclesiastes 7:20 wrote:

Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.

This is not to say that it is ok to sin because sin is always wrong. We were created in the image of God; (Gn. 1:27) therefore, we are to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect. (Mt. 5:48) But no one is perfect; all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) We all have evil thoughts, (Gn. 8:21) we all speak evil from the mouth, (Jam. 3:8) in many things we offend and we know that it ought not be this way. (Jam.3:10

If no one is able to perfectly keep the commandments of God and does daily break them in thought, word, and deed; what is the purpose of the law?

1. The Law closes the mouth from saying, “I am good.” (Rom. 3:19a)
2. The Law makes us accountable to God. (Rom. 3:19b)
3. The Law brings the knowledge that we have sinned. (Rom. 3:20, 7:7)
4. The Law shows us our need of Christ. (Gal. 3:24)

Many in our society and even in the church scoff at the commandments of God. Everyone knows in their heart that the law is God’s standard but they have fallen short of meeting the commands of God. However, there is good news, a man is justified in the sight of God by faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, apart from the works of the law. (Rom. 3:28) 

Does this mean that we should go on sinning? Are we to continue in sin because we are forgiven in Jesus Christ? “May it never be!” We have died to sin in Jesus Christ. (Rom. 6:1-2) We have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer we who live but Christ lives in us; therefore, the life that we now live in the flesh, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Gal. 3:20)

Michael Peek

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake