Did "I" do it or did GOD?

[OneJoe]

All we hear is: I saved him. I lead him to God. I planted a seed. How can I work on that problem? How do I build my faith? How do I stop doing this? How can I get this or that? What should I do to be saved? What if I can't? etc. etc.

Where is God in all this? We can see little to no credit going to God for what happens. People are taking so much credit away from God. No wonder others don't believe in God. They believe everything can be done by them so their not dependent on God for anything. Is this work really ours? Or is this work God working in us? We can listen to so many people and plainly see the idea of being humble has been thrown out the window.

The next time people say "I" lead them or helped save them, perhaps it would be good to check that thought ahead of time and give the thanks and Glory to God, the one in charge, the one who is really responsible for the good that we take credit for.

[Tamara224]

The next time people say "I" lead them or helped save them, perhaps it would be good to check that thought ahead of time and give the thanks and Glory to God, the one in charge, the one who is really responsible for the good that we take credit for.

Thanks Onejoe. You've made a very excellent point. I have felt oppressed in recent years by the attitude you speak against here. It extends into areas that are really quite dangerous, I think. For example, I've heard people say things like preaching the Gospel would be a waste of time unless 'I' properly prepare the person before-hand. One 'teaching' I was subjected to used the parable of the sower to demonstrate that we need to be careful where we sow the seeds - we can't 'waste' God's Word on unprepared soil. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. GOD prepares the soil which is the hearts of unbelievers. Sure, we shouldn't throw pearls before swine, but people who think they can prepare a person's heart for the Word of God are forgetting what that Word has said!

I Cor 3:6-9:
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

We are commanded to preach the Word, if the Word is not accepted/believed we are to "shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town." (Matthew 10:14). It's not up to us to make people believe, it's up to us to preach the Word. God does the rest.

Isaiah 55:10-11
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.


We preach the Word and love one another and God prepares the soil, changes hearts and saves people.

[blueheron32]

Yes Tamara...and even our preaching...our planting and watering, is a result of the hand of God as he has dealt mercifully with us... we plant and water and preach by faith, and that not of ourselves it is a gift from God.... not by works that we have done, lest we should boast. In every detail, the gospel of the Grace of Jesus Christ is the work of God, to him belongs all the glory..and to Him it is joyfully given...:-) Amen..

blueheron32

[Tamara224]

Amen!

[TheCowExpert]

Amen to that!

[SemperReformanda]

Word :)

[m.o.m.]

Amen, Joe!

"I" can't do anything.

Galatians 2:20 "For I am crucifeid with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me, a delivered Himself up for me" NAS

There is no more I anymore, but only Christ.