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Exegesis Paper Roman 12:2

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Saint Leo University
Professor McClenney
Exegesis Paper
Romans 12:2

Jamesca Caton
June 22, 2014

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION3
BACKGROUND3
LITERARY ANALYSIS4
THEOLOGY ANALYSIS5
CONCLUSION6
BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………………………7

INTRODUCTION When the thought of God’s purpose for us comes to mind, you think of what God’s will is for us all. Throughout the bible you can read that we were put on this earth for the glory of God and strive to give Him glory. God created us all to fulfill his eternal plan and defeat Satan. God created us in His image and He has given us a choice of freedom. We can choose to give into the unearthly things of this world or give glory to the only Holy Spirit which is God. In Romans 12:2 it is said, “do not conform yourselves to this age but transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect”. God put us on this earth so we could follow his will, by putting our faith in God completely and defeating Satan and his lies.
BACKGROUND
Paul is the author of the book of Romans, and the date of composition was between 57-58 C.E. The book of Romans was one of the most significant and influential theological letters written because of it pertaining to the “righteousness of God”. Although, it is much debate over whether it is righteousness which God bestows on persons on the basis of Christ’s work, or meaning the righteousness of God is the activity of God (Butler 1204). When the righteousness of God is truly understood, it is God setting things right through life, death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ. Paul explains to us that God proclaims that the person is righteous and takes all their sins away. The book of Romans was to many a plan of salvation. Paul relayed what God has done in Christ and then explains how important it is for us to achieve what Gods will is. Any reader who knows where the words come from will surely smile in recognition of the point (Hays 57). The Bible is not only Gods words and instructions, but it is also Gods will and what he wants us to be in this life. Paul wants Christians to be freed from all sin, but also live up to Gods demand of being faithful in Christ and to Him. It is Paul’s perception for Christians to understand the power of sin and Gods action to triumph over it in a way an unbeliever does not understand (Butler 1205).
LITERARY ANALYSIS Will of God is an important message in Romans 12:2. In this chapter, it discusses the duties of Christians. Urging those who believe and have faith in God, to fully dedicate themselves to God. Hays asked a good question, “If the word is so alive and active on the lips and in the hearts of the community of faith, how then must we read?"(Hays 30). It is not possible to just say you believe in the word of God, but you must abide and follow. Paul appeals to all those who have fallen in to follow the customs of the world that do not pertain to Gods will. Since many Christians struggle with sin, Paul used this letter to reach those who were under sin. In Romans 8:13, “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live”. There are many people who walk in the lusts of the flesh and mind earthly things, but he does not want the dedicated Christians to fall sin to all of those. God made us in the image of Him, the likeliness of God in true righteousness, knowledge and holiness is what we as Christians should strive to be. Being able to make sure you are not engulfed by the world’s sins, but do things that are in the image and likeness of God. This is what Romans 12 is discussing and Colossians 3:10 also touches a bit on being a better Christian and more like God. In Colossians 3:10, “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator”. A new self in this reference is referring to once you’ve been baptized and freed from all sin, you are renewed and need to live your life in the image of our creator God. This scripture also stated to take off all new ways that were adapted or unholy ways and live directly to Christ alone. Which is similar to what Romans 12:2 is also stating. The duties that you must live to be a Christian that is pleasing to God. The sacrifices of your body and mind to make sure you can live by Gods will is what Paul speaks on in Romans 12:2. Even though, Christians have many resources of God to fight sin victoriously, intense struggle is necessary (Butler 1205).
THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS Paul is a servant of God and his writings in Romans speaks on how Christians should have a strong bond with God and live to do Gods will. "The Gospel is not a religious message to inform mankind of their divinity or to tell them how they may become divine. The Gospel proclaims a God utterly distinct from men” (Barth 28). Paul believes if you give yourself freely and fully to God, you will be rewarded with eternal life. Eternal life is granted only to those who are fully committed to God and His will. Paul wants to offer the Roman Christin community some spiritual benefit, for the benefit of their common faith (Rom 1:11-12). While the community at Rome was mainly Gentiles, many arguments Paul discusses in Romans is of the Jewish Christian community. It is possible that this once Jewish Christian community evolved into a Gentile Christian community (Corey 373). Sin has taken our Christian community and man has chosen not to follow God, who is the creator of man and earth. Which results in an abundance of evil activity because of the rejection of all that God created and what He intended for us to become. Barth said it well, "So long as we are swayed by any other motive except faith, we do not stand before God” (Barth 324). It is important to know Paul’s aspects on obeying God and knowing all that God has done for us. Paul speaks in Romans about not having any excuse to follow Gods will, especially with all the knowledge of God that is available to everyone. Many people still choose not to follow Gods will and believe in God, but fall in error to the sins of the world. Having an understanding of human nature, the origin of evil, and humanity’s capacity to know God and of the relative advantage or disadvantage of being a Jew (Corey 377). God’s holy righteousness has been revealed in the death of Jesus, which has become our redemption and freedom of all sins and wrong doings.
CONCLUSION
We see in Rom 12:2 that God wants us to live our lives good, pleasing and perfect to Him. There is no interpretation needed to understand what God is saying, but to open yourself up and have faith in God. Paul says give yourself freely and completely to God and that we should not give into the unholy ways of the world, but to do Gods will and please Him. God is the most pure and Holy Spirit, and we all should strive to be in His likeness and image.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Barth, Karl. The Epistle to the Romans. NY: Oxford U. 1976.
Bishop, N. C. (10/1/1992). The New American Bible. Catholic Book Publishing Company.
Butler, C. Trent. Holman Bible Dictionary. NY: Oxford U. 1991.
Cory, Catherine. A Voyage through the New Testament. NJ: Prentice Hall. 2008.
Hays, Richard. Echoes of Scripture in the Letters of Paul (Yale U. Press, 1989).

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