There are some who like to live in the false view that God never gets credit in anyones gospel but their own. And all we want to do is take credit for ourselves and keep it from God
Lets take a look at this.
1. God did the work of setting up the covenants, and the promises, the nation and the bloodline, The law (tutor) which would lead the people to, and everything put in place to make the cross happen.
2. God, set aside his diety, Came to earth in humilation (born in a animal feeding apparatus) raised in humilation (a bastard child) rejected by his own people. And suffered the most painful, dehumanizing death one can imagine, Although he was without sin.
3. While on that cross, God took my sin, and paid the price I should have paid. So I could be redeemed from the curse of the law
4. God did the work of putting his word together (faith comes by hearing) and God did the work of putting the church together, Equiping teachers who can rightly divide the word and teach
5. God did the work of convicting me of my sin, He did the work of convicting me of my unrighteousness. He did the work of convicting me of the fact I am rightly judged, and the pentaly is death
6. He did the work of well over a year, talking to me. Convicting me. Getting me to look at him, the drawing of myself to him, Many a night I would pray the sinners prayer, but did not understand, or feel that anything had happened He did the work of drawing me to the front of the church so that I could have someone take me and show me first hand the gospel and explain to me what it meant. Then finally, he did the work of bringing me to my knees, where, like the tax collector, I realised I had no hope. And called on him to show mercy on me. Unable to even look up at him, because I had nothing to offer.
7. At that moment, He did the work of justifying me based on the redemptive work of Christ, He did the work of giving me his rightiousness based on imputation, He did the work of making me born again, and filling me with his spirit. He did the work of sealing me with his spirit. Giving me eternal life. And gave me all things in him.
8 Since that time, He has done the work of growing me, Chastening me when I need it, redirecting my path. Growing me, tearing down my pride and showing me to learn to live as his example. He even after I went prodigal, Once again took me to my knees in chastening because as he promised, He will leave the whole flock to go get the one lost sheep.
9 He continues the work today, He began a good work in me at Hope Baptist Church, and he continues today, and I have no doubt, he will do it until the day of redemption.
If this is taking credit from God. Then I guess the tax collector was working really realy hard and can boast of how he saved himself. Not giving God any credit. and jesus made a huge mistake when he said he went home justified.