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Paul has taken the first eleven chapters of Romans to talk doctrine. For example, he begins with the righteousness of God. It is one of the basic doctrines of Scripture. He says that the Bible is a revelation of the righteousness of God. He also firmly declares that he is not ashamed of the Gospel because it reveals the power of God to save us.He continues by saying that the righteous (those of us who have have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus) will live by faith - faith in God and the sacrifice He has provided. He also presents the doctrine of the depravity of man in no uncertain terms. Man is a sinner and in great need of the sacrifice of Jesus. He concludes that the entire world stands convicted before this righteous God. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. This means that everyone is in need of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.In chapter ten Paul tells us how to appropriate that sacrifice. It is a matter of believing in one's heart and confessing publicly that Jesus is Lord. It is a pure and simple act of faith in the sacrifice Jesus made on that little hill outside Jerusalem.Beginning with chapter twelve Paul discusses some of the changes one experiences when he accepts the sacrifice of Jesus. The act of believing that Jesus is Lord includes the giving of one's body totally to Christ (Romans 12:1). Once a Believer gives himself to Christ a dramatic transformation begins. This change begins with the transforming of the new Believer's mind. Paul calls it a renewing of the mind. The thinking of the saved person is totally and radically transformed. This transformation enables the convert to determine what is the "...good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2).It is interesting that the renewing of one's mind begins with how he thinks about himself. Then the change continues with the Believer's mind being changed in the way he thinks about others. He has a new love (agape) which affects his opinion and actions toward others. His thinking is even changed toward the state - the government and persons in positions of authority.Paul's conclusion is that the Christian is to discard the works of darkness and put on Jesus Christ. It is all a part of the wonderful change that is effected by a belief in the only begotten Son of God.Romans twelve Paul begins what preachers refer to as the "application." Now that he has presented the great doctrines of the Bible what is the Christian to do with them? Beginning with chapter twelve Paul applies the doctrines of the first eleven chapters to the life of the Believer.The one who believes in Jesus will, indeed, walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
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