Unstoppable Grace

Since the days of Cain and Able, there has been a war raging. The battle lines have been drawn between good and evil, Angles and demons, The Creator and creation, man and God.

One might say that the battle is for the souls of men. Although that aspect of the battle plays a significant role in the strategy of the enemy, man is simply just one of the instruments of war, lest we perceive ourselves the center theme of God’s creative purpose. The battle itself ensues for a reason far greater than man.

Since that first sin by Adam and Eve, every aspect of creation groans from the battle. The Apostle Paul said in Rom. 8:19-23.

Romans 8:19–23 NASB

For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hopethat the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

All creation anxiously longs, as it eagerly waits. It was subjected to futility by the will of him who subjected it and now waits to be set free from its slavery of corruption. It is described as a state of groaning and pain, waiting for that which represents life to be birthed out of it.

So, although mankind plays a significant role in the war that rages, the entire entity of creation, both material and immaterial is involved. Everything is a stake, nothing is immune to the impact of this war, and all of creation suffers losses because of it.

God the Creator, spoke all things into existence for one purpose, to shine forth — to reflect the beauty and wonder of His express glory, the very nature of His being. Creation was meant to be an expression of the Creator Himself, as paintings are meant to be the expression of the artist. Creation was meant to be God’s dominion that expressed His glory.

1 Peter 4:11 NASB

Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Romans 11:36 NASB

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

But as Paul said in Rom. 8, it was instead, subjected to futility by the will of one who chose to express his own dominion and experience a different glory than the one that God intended.

Romans 5:12–14 NASB

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—for until the Law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law.Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Although mankind attempted the freedom to express his own dominion and experience his own glory, it was an expression that led him to the bondage — the slavery to and inescapable condemnation of death rather than freedom in life. Now all of creation has been subjected to the expression of death’s condemnation, not only in its destiny, but even in its function. It’s very existence screams the futility of the was that is raging, even within its ranks.

Have you heard the war cry? Have you seen the ranks forming? Creation roars against mankind with the devastating force of storms more powerful than anything man can invent. Nations wage war against nations. Evil governments oppress the very people they are meant to protect and serve. The rich take advantage of the poor. Evil stalks the unsuspecting communities of our cities with violence and killings that at times are simply just random. Homes are ripped apart by individuals who refuse to accept God’s given role for them in their family structures. Human beings refuse to accept how God has made them and instead, mutilate themselves in an attempt to recreate themselves in their own image rather than God’s.

Injustice, oppression, hatred, division, selfishness, arrogance, indifference, irrationality, impatience, and condemnation have become the accepted, expected, and praised norm.

Romans 1:32 NASB

and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

The war rages on but praise the Lord, God’s redemption is coming. Paul related the reminder that no matter how much sin increased, both in perception and practice, God’s grace would increase. He said in Rom. 5:20-21.

Romans 5:20–21 NASB

And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s unstoppable grace, that would reign through God’s righteousness, the eternal expression of life rather than death, that would all be secured through Jesus Christ.

Praise the Lord, this raging and devastating war within which we now life, is not eternal. God planned its end before His first spoken word brought into existence the beginning foundation of creation Gen. 1:1.

God’s relationship with the nation of Israel, their disobedience, and their wickedness, along with the oppression of Israel by their surrounding nations was a microcosmic picture of the entire plight of creation, the battle for glory of two opposing forces, one of righteousness that leads to life that is eternal and the other one of sin that leads to death that is eternal.

So, during the time of the divided kingdom of Israel, Israel to the North and Judah to the south, God sent a message through His servant Joel (yo-el: YHWH is God). The message Joel bore to his people, was simple. “Israel, look around you at the product of death through the devastation of sin, know the day of the Lord is coming when He will return. Chapter 2, blow a trumpet, sound the alarm and tremble for no one can endure it (Joel 2:11). Return to the Lord (Joel 2:12-13), for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.” In Joel 2:18-27, restoration to God’s glory and life is coming, and whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Joel 2:32).”

God's unstoppable grace, that leads to a place of belonging, is offered to all who call on His name.

Now our text,

Joel 3:18… “And in that day...” the place in which you belong will be restored.

++The earth will be restored to the place in which you belong (Joel 3:18)

++Justice will be restored to the place in which you belong (Joel 3:19)

++Peace will be restored to the place in which you belong (Joel 3:20-21)

Do you feel like you belong in this upside down, inside out world in which we live? Are you at peace with the wars that rage between nations? Are you content with the humanitarian suffering of hunger, poverty, injustice, and natural disasters?

Do you hear the battle cry?

The day of the Lord is near (Joel 3:14).

Proclaim among the nations, prepare a war, rouse the mighty, hasten, gather…God will come to end the full rebellion, once and for all (Joel 3:9-14).

But the LORD is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel (Joel 3:16-17).

“…return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness [grace] and relenting of evil (Joel 2:13).

“…it will come about the whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be saved (Joel 2:32).

“…in that day...” life, a place of belonging for the people of God, that is His dominion for His glory, will be restored (Joel 3:18-21).

God's unstoppable grace, that leads to a place of belonging, is offered to all who call on His name.