I hope you don't mind, I would just like to add that as well as having the old testament, they also had those that were given to the church, such as Paul himself, as well as many others that ministered to the body. There were churches in Rome, and many mentioned in the last chapter of the book.
Also, as well as is in accordance with Paul's other teachings: that when that mind-set that they formerly held, being one of worldliness, self exalting, and many other things Paul teaches previously in the book of Romans; that they must (as well as we ourselves) set that mind-set aside and seek to know the will of God in everything done.
When a person, (personal experience here speaking as well as what I preceive is in the scripture), surrenders their own will to know the will of God; He is faithiful, in whatever way He sees fit, (and they are many and varied), to show the person under His authority His mind and will vs. our own mind and will.
Once seeing then the difference of those two specific directions (my will vs. His will); one can not help but begin down the road of renewing how they once viewed their relationship with the world around them, and thier own lives also, hence their "mind".
Previous verse: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice (much more than that which is taught in the law); holy and acceptable which is your reasonable service...."
(2 Corinthians 4:2-6 also speaks of this kind of thing... "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of the darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Thank you for letting me share. And thank you for giving me something to ponder this day as well!
A sister in Christ
