1 Peter 1-13-21----Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, -You shall be holy, for I am holy.- And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Concluding the series commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Canons of Dort, Brian Lee reflects on the assurance of pardoning grace and how it relates to godliness.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,----To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood-----May grace and peace be multiplied to you.----Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ- According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The preservation of the saints and the assurance of salvation are two of the enduring legacies of the Canons in Dort. Brian Lee speaks on both topics in this penultimate episode of the Dort at 400 series.

The "P" in T.U.L.I.P. - Brian Lee speaks on the perseverance of the saints as this series commemorating the Canons of Dort at 400 years draws to a close.

Brian Lee continues his Psalm series with one of the most famous Psalms in the Psalter as a whole, and in book two of the Psalter especially.

Psalm 51----To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.----Have mercy on me, O God,-- according to your steadfast love---according to your abundant mercy-- blot out my transgressions.--Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,-- and cleanse me from my sin---For I know my transgressions,-- and my sin is ever before me.--Against you, you only, have I sinned-- and done what is evil in your sight,--so that you may be justified in your words-- and blameless in your judgment.--Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,-- and in sin did my mother conceive me.--Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,-- and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.--Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean--- wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.--Let me hear joy and gladness--- let the bones that you have broken rejoice.--Hide your face from my sins,-- and blot out all my iniquities.--Create in me a clean heart, O God,-- and renew a right spirit within me.--Cast me not away from your presence,-- and take not your Holy Spirit from me.--Restore to me the joy of your salvation,-- and uphold me with a willing spirit.--Then I will teach transgressors your ways,-- and sinners will return to you.--Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,-- O God of my salvation,-- and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.--O Lord, open my lips,-- and my mouth will declare your praise.--For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it--- you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.--...

The Canons of Dort- The Fifth Points of Doctrine- The Perseverance of the Saints----Article 6- God-s Saving Intervention----For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death -the sin against the Holy Spirit-, and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin.----Article 7- Renewal to Repentance----For, in the first place, God preserves in those saints when they fall his imperishable seed from which they have been born again, lest it perish or be dislodged. Secondly, by his Word and Spirit he certainly and effectively renews them to repentance so that they have a heartfelt and godly sorrow for the sins they have committed- seek and obtain, through faith and with a contrite heart, forgiveness in the blood of the Mediator- experience again the grace of a reconciled God- through faith adore his mercies- and from then on more eagerly work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.----Article 8- The Certainty of This Preservation----So it is not by their own merits or strength but by God-s undeserved mercy that they neither forfeit faith and grace totally nor remain in their downfalls to the end and are lost. With respect to themselves this not only easily could happen, but also undoubtedly would happen- but with respect to God it cannot possibly happen, since his plan cannot be changed, his promise cannot fail, the calling according to his purpose cannot be revoked...

In this Dort at 400 series installment, Brian Lee teaches on what the Canons of Dort have to say about sin.

Brian Lee continues his Psalm series with Psalm 50.