Can the vilest sinner be saved by calling out to God and believing?
Yes. Under grace, the vilest sinner can call out for salvation, and salvation is his if he believes. This differs from Joel’s setting, where the offer was confined to Israel under the Law before Christ died; the wording is similar, but the circumstances and economies are totally different.
Les explains that the vilest sinner can call out for salvation, and it is his if he believes. However, he contrasts that with Joel’s setting: back then Christ had not yet died, and the offer of salvation had not been turned over to the whole world; it remained confined to Israel under the Law. Joel is speaking of the time when the King and Kingdom become reality, when the living world must call out to Jehovah God to experience salvation. The wording may be the same, but the circumstances are totally different—one is under grace, the other under the Kingdom economy. Les warns not to gloss over this and assume it is the same thing Paul wrote, because the words are the same but the setting is totally different.