Work of the Spirit- Lent Romans Series

Romans 4:1-3, 17- 24
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Paul is laying out his argument contrasting the work of the flesh and the work of the Spirit using Abraham as an example. The work of the flesh is all the ways we try to fix ourselves. We criticize ourselves, shame ourselves, we try harder, we make more rules… and on and on. This is the work of the flesh which doesn’t cause real transformation. The New Testament speaks higher of the people in the Old Testament than we would. Romans 4 says that Abraham “did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God.” We would look at his story and see a lot of “unbelief.” But God looks at Abraham’s story through the lens of the work of the Spirit and not the work of the flesh because God does not judge our many fallings but our many risings. To see things through the work of the Spirit is to “judge” differently because it is a judgement of Grace. The work of the Spirit looks at the heart that is pointed to God, receives grace, and keeps moving in love.

1. What is an area of your life that has been changed by the work of the Spirit? What is an area where you have received grace, moved in love, and your life was different as a result?

2. What is an area you have tried to change on your own without much luck? In what way could you lean into the work of the spirit to grow in it where you don’t judge yourself by the falls but the getting up and moving forward?

3. Is there anyone in your life you could have more of an impact with if your voice reflected the work of the Spirit more? Who in your life do you need to extend grace toward with the help of the Spirit so you can move more in love? Who could you practice on?