Faith Over Works: Understanding Romans 4:1–8 | Quiet Time Devotional
Why Faith, Not Works, Makes Us Righteous 🙏
7-Step QT
-
🙏 Quiet Time
-
📅 September 9, 2025
-
✝️ Romans 4:1-8
-
📖 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (v. 3)
-
📝 God, the Creator of all, defines righteousness by grace—not works. We have no right to question His authority; true humility acknowledges His sovereignty. Like Abraham, we are made righteous through faith, not effort. Today, choose gratitude and trust in God’s grace rather than striving for approval.
-
💬 What does this passage speak to you today?
-
🙏 Share below, and let’s encourage one another in prayer!
7-Step QT Notes
1. 🙏 Quiet Time
Pause. Take a deep breath. Ask God to open your heart to understand what real faith looks like—and to rest in His grace, not your performance.
2. 📅 September 9, 2025
Today’s passage reminds us: God counts us righteous not because of what we do, but because we trust Him.
3. ✝️ Romans 4:1–8
Paul points to Abraham as an example: He wasn’t declared righteous because he worked hard or kept all the rules. He simply believed God—and that faith was credited as righteousness.
David echoes this truth: “Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.”
Not because they earned it, but because God gives grace freely.
4. 📖 Key Verse
“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’” (v.3)
5. 📝 Reflection
Our culture says: “Prove yourself. Build your résumé. Earn your worth.”
But God says: “Stop striving. Trust Me. I’ve already done the work.”
Faith isn’t about trying harder—it’s about trusting deeper. Abraham didn’t have all the answers. He didn’t have a perfect record. But he trusted God—and that changed everything.
What about you? Are you exhausted from trying to be “enough”? God isn’t asking for perfection—He’s inviting you to believe.
6. 💬 What does this passage speak to you today?
- Where am I still trying to earn God’s approval instead of trusting His grace?
- How would my identity change if I truly believed I’m already accepted in Christ?
- Who in my life needs to hear that God’s love isn’t based on performance?
7. 🙏 Prayer
God, thank You that my worth isn’t based on what I do, but on what Jesus has done. Help me stop striving and start trusting. Teach me to live in the freedom of Your grace—and to share that hope with others. Amen.
Scriptures
📖 1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Rom 4:1-8, ESV).
Comments
Post a Comment