Joel: Salvation Is All Of Grace And None Of Works

Those who attempt to justify themselves to God on the basis of their (self-proclaimed) great works will be forever removed from God. God is totally sovereign (free from external influence), he has decided who will be saved. Those who trust in their strength to justify themselves to God (e.g., typified by Egypt) and those who are self-confident (e.g., typified by Edom) are condemned to suffer for ever under God’s wrath.

Joel 2:20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

Joel 3:4 Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

Joel 3:19 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

Christ handles every part of salvation. To God’s elect (those who are given the ability to repent) he has mercy (does not give them what they do deserve) and he gives them Grace (does give them what they do not deserve). He blots out his people’s sin. He makes them white as snow.

Joel 2:12-13 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Joel 3:21 For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.

By Ray Bennetts