The Work of God in Salvation

As we talk about salvation today, we know that God does the work in some one's life for them to accept Christ as their Savior.  It is not man's doing, but God's. God opened Lydia's heart to accept the Gospel and so He will also do for others.  The connotations of the terms "soul-winning" and "getting people saved" are dangerous to use as this places the emphasis on man's work in salvation. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 that he "did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom...my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."  The WAY the Gospel is presented is not the emphasis...it is the Gospel.  For God is the one who opens hearts for salvation and faithful Christians who share the Gospel can trust God's plan.  1 Corinthians 3:6-7 shares how some plant, some water, but God gives growth. May we remember this truth as we share Christ with the lost and trust Him with the results.