Who rescued who?

Four years ago, my wife and I adopted a beautiful little golden retriever puppy from the Human Society in Rogers, Arkansas. Ever since then, she has been like a child to us. In fact, she may or may not get to sleep on our bed quite often... Needless to say, we love her tremendously. So when we saw one of these stickers last year, my wife had to get one...

It's a funny question to ask because we know that Lily (the golden retriever) has brought us such great joy. We may have rescued her from the Humane Society, but she sure has made many great days for us since then. 

On page 55 of their book, Faith Sharing, Fox and Morris make an important point when it comes to evangelism. They say, "Therefore, it is important to note that God takes the initiative in salvation. Thus, the process of salvation begins not with the human problem but with divine initiative. It is God's prevenient grace that evokes an awareness of human need leading to repentance and faith."

When evangelizing, the faith sharer takes no great pride in saving someone. Indeed they were in a long line of grace-filled moments in which God moved the heart of that person. Our call is always to share faith, but it is never to convert. Conversion happens only through God. We are not saved by works, nor are we saved by man, but only by the grace of God flooding into our lives. So the question, "who rescued who?" is not up for debate in evangelism. I will never rescue someone. I may play a part in helping, but indeed that was only God working IN ME anyway. 

God takes the initiative. 

God does the rescuing. 

As Christians we are the tools, the body, and even at times, the very face of God to those lost from God. Sure we play a part and an important one at that. But may the pride of salvation never creep into my mind as if I were the one that changed someone from death to life. Only Jesus Christ get that's honor and glory.