What if the gospel isn’t the starting line but the whole race? We open Romans with Paul’s longing to visit Rome and uncover a bigger vision: the same grace that saves also fuels everyday transformation. Paul wants to impart strength and receive it too, showing how healthy churches grow through mutual encouragement and shared faith. That heartbeat reframes mission and discipleship as one movement—proclaim Christ to the world and rehearse Christ within the church.

We explore Paul’s surprising claim of being a debtor to Greeks and barbarians, wise and unwise. In a culture divided by class, language, and status, the gospel levels the ground and creates a holy obligation to love. Then we press into the famous line, “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” and treat it as more than a slogan: the gospel is God’s power for salvation, shaping us from justification into sanctification. Faith to faith isn’t a moment; it’s a way of life. We contrast grace-driven dependence with the subtle trap of flesh-driven religion—trying to perfect by effort what God began by the Spirit.

Drawing from Galatians 3 and Romans 1, we confront how believers can suppress truth by relying on self. Whatever isn’t from faith is sin, not because effort is wrong, but because life apart from the Spirit cannot bear fruit. Creation itself points to God’s power, calling us to gratitude and true worship rather than manageable idols. We invite you to exchange self-salvation projects for daily surrender: walk in grace, let the Spirit work, and become a credible witness in a world hungry for the real thing.

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Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.