Words from R.C. Sproul
One of the great privileges I have had is to have been instructed by R. C. Sproul. Before meeting him, he lectured me through his books, videos, conferences, and tapes. (Yes, that was back in days of cassette tapes.) In 1998, when I enrolled at Knox Theological Seminary, my first class was with him. He taught on the subject of cultural morals and biblical ethics, and from that point on I was hooked. I feverishly took every class he offered, and my learning from him is still not complete. Today, my library is filled with his written offerings, and I continually take advantage of his digital ministry. (Ligonier.org & Refnet.fm) No one has impacted my systematic theology more than this dear departed saint. He has been a great gift of God to me and to those whom I have had the privilege to serve.
Occasionally, as R.C. would teach, he would get especially exercised about some erroneous teaching in the church. He could then be heard charismatically, seriously, boldly, intensely, and graciously exclaiming, “What’s wrong with you people?”
It was R.C.’s way of saying, “Wake up! You’ve got to be out of your mind! Think about what you are saying and doing! This is not right. This is not biblical. This is not rational. Get with the program.”
Words from Moses
I wonder how many times Moses must have uttered forth similar words.
You people have been foreknown, foreloved, foreordained, selected, elected, and predestined. Of all the people groups on the planet, you are God’s Chosen People.
You people have been sent a truth-telling miracle-working prophet. God speaks to me. I speak to you. I speak to your enemies, and I come with divine gifts — special powers — miracles, signs, and wonders to authenticate my position and message.
You people have witnessed ten plagues that have humiliated and dominated your enslaving enemies.
You people have seen the salvation of your firstborn sons. The death-angel has touched every family in the land except for yours. When he saw the blood, he passed over your households. Only your firstborn sons have been saved.
You people have seen the glory cloud — the cloud of smoky darkness by day and brilliant light by night.
You people have walked through the parted Red Sea. You then saw the same river save you by swallowing up Pharaoh and his pursuing army.
You people have witnessed my meeting with Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and certain elders on God’s sacred mountain.
You people have tasted God’s manna, quail, and miraculously provided water.
You people have seen God’s handwritten tablets of stone and have and heard his ordinances. You know what God commands and demands.
You people have heard God’s promises of what he plans on doing for, in, through, and around you.
You people have also heard God’s warnings. Should you rebel, it will not go well for you and your households.
And yet, despite God’s gracious work in your presence, you continually respond by disbelieving, lusting, grumbling, scheming, disobeying, and tempting the Lord.
- You complain God is killing you. It would be better for you to still be in Egypt. (Ex. 14:11-12)
- You complain of having no water while bringing up the plenteous water you had in Egypt. (Ex. 15:23-26)
- You complain of having no food while bragging that you ate well in Egypt. (Ex. 16:1-18)
- You are clearly told to collect enough manna for one day, but you quickly covet and disobey God’s instruction. (Ex. 16:19-22)
- You forget God’s previous provision, again complain of having no water, and lust to return to the land of Egypt. (Ex. 17:1-7)
- You disobey God’s 2nd Commandment by manufacturing and worshiping before a golden calf. (Ex. 32:7-8)
- You lust for the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic you once enjoyed in Egypt. (Num. 11:4-35)
- You lack faith; you disbelieve God is powerful enough to grant you the Promised Land of Canaan. (Num. 13:1-25)
- You complain about Aaron and me and long for better leaders who will take you back home. (Num. 14:1-4)
My brother and sisters, you are God’s people, his holy nation, his royal priesthood, his light to the nations, his congregation of saints. Never before has a people been so loved, favored, graced, protected, provided for, and guided. He dwells in your midst. He dwells in your camp. He is God. He is the Lord. He is the Master of the Universe. He is your Counselor. He is your Friend, and this is how you respond? Worshipers of the Great I Am, what are you thinking? What’s wrong with you people?
Words from Jesus
Friends, I can imagine Jesus Christ , the one better and greater than Moses, saying similar things to me and you:
My child, I have chosen you. I have written your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I did so before the foundation of the world.
My child, I have not come to add to your performance-burden. My yoke is easy. My burden is light.
My child, I have seen your every sin. Your law-breaking is not hidden from my sight. I know all you have thought, imagined, loved, spoken, and done — the intentional, accidental, external, internal, past, present, and future. I know you perfectly. I know you thoroughly, and I have not come to condemn.
My child, I have come to live a perfect life for you — in your stead. In doing so, I have stockpiled all the righteousness you will ever need, and I have already applied it to your spiritual account. You are set for life. You can never run out of my goodness. Your cup runs over, and you are now beautiful in your Father’s eyes.
My child, I have also come to take the full wrath of God upon my head, shoulders, back, and soul. Yes, I died for all your sin and transgressions, and now not one drop of judgment remains. You are free from performance. You are free from punishment.
My child, I watch over you each and every day. For you, I intercede and pray without ceasing.
My child, I have implanted my Holy Spirit “in your heart.” Now, for the rest of your days, no matter what you do or don’t do, nothing can separate you from the love of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Everywhere you go, through sunshine or rain, we are with you, watching you, helping you, molding you, keeping you, discipling you, eager to commune with through prayer and the Word.
My child, I have already set you apart as my saint. It is something I do and not you. You are set apart, consecrated, sanctified, or “saint-ivied” by me.
My child, wait till you see paradise. It is really. I have already left Planet Earth to begin constructing your vacation abode. Just wait till you see the New Heavens, the New Earth, the mountains, gardens, streets, mansions, robe, crowns, trophies, and bling prepared for you.
Oh, my sons and daughters, you are my friends, my people, my flock, my vine, my body, my children, and my bride. You are my reward, my beloved, my saints.
Will you not believe my Word?
Will you not believe my work on your behalf?
Will you not believe my benefits?
Will you not believe my promises?
Will you not believe my declaration of sainthood?
Will you not believe my intimate communion and presence with you?
Will you not walk in my love, follow my lead, and believe my counsel?
Will you not run back to me, as quickly as you can, repenting over and over again, and re-enjoying my smile?
Will you really trust and believe and follow someone else?
Oh my sons and daughters, what are you thinking? Never before has a people been so loved, favored, graced, protected, provided for, and guided. I dwell in your midst. I dwell in your chest. I am God. I am the Lord. I am the Master of the Universe. I am your Friend, and this is how you respond?
Oh my beloved sons and daughters, what are you thinking? What’s wrong with you people?
Unfathomable Grace 