DATE POSTED
Tuesday, September 1, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

Romans 4:1-3 (NLT): ¹ Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? ² If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. ³ For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

When sharing the gospel, people tend to connect best when you ground truth in familiar examples. Today, a pastor might reference trusted Christian leaders like Billy Graham, Charles Wesley, Tony Evans, or Chuck Smith to illustrate a point. Paul did something very similar with his Jewish readers: he took them back to Abraham, the respected patriarch of their nation. There was no better figurehead to demonstrate how God actually works.

Abraham experienced many “firsts” in the story of God’s people. Humanly speaking, he could have boasted about his role in shaping a nation. But Scripture does not honor him for his achievements. Verse 3 tells us exactly why Abraham is remembered throughout history: he believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Statements like this force me to pause and ponder: What am I known for in the sight of Almighty God?

As the eldest of five children, I remember my siblings occasionally feeling envious when our mother held me up as an example. But closeness reveals our imperfections; family members know our good, bad, and ugly sides. None of us are perfect. Yet we know One who is, and our daily calling is to walk in His footsteps rather than rely on our own reputation.

No amount of boasting could have brought Abraham into right standing with God, nor could his works earn him access to heaven. Scripture is unmistakable: it is solely by God’s grace—through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ—that we are saved from sin and declared righteous. What the world thinks of us only ranks us in human estimation. We are not made righteous by our works, our reputation, our ministry, or our standing in the church. We are made righteous only through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Notice that Scripture doesn’t focus on what men thought of Abraham, because human opinion had zero bearing on his righteousness. True righteousness is simply being made right with God. May we ask Him daily to guide our paths and teach us His will. Earthly approval fades, but only what is done for Christ will last.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE

What Does a Righteous Life Look Like?

Know Him personally — The invitation is open to all

• John 3:16 — “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son…”
• Romans 10:9–10 — Salvation comes through believing in Christ and confessing Him as Lord.

Follow in His footsteps — Live as Christ lived

• 1 Peter 2:21 — “Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”
• Ephesians 5:1–2 — “Imitate God… Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.”

Tell others about Jesus — Share the Gospel

• Matthew 28:19–20 — “Go and make disciples of all the nations…”
• Acts 1:8 — “You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…”

Anticipate the return of Christ — Live with expectant hope

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 — The Lord will come, and believers will be caught up to meet Him.
• John 14:2–3 — “I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

We don’t become righteous by doing these things; we do these things because Christ has already made us righteous through faith.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of righteousness that comes through faith in Your Son. Guard my heart from trusting in my own works or seeking approval from men. Teach me to walk daily in Your ways, to follow Christ’s example, and to live with the hope of His return. May my life reflect genuine faith, and may others see Jesus in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!