Ever feel like following Jesus is an impossible checklist you’ll never complete? We walk through Romans 12 and 13 to show why Paul calls surrender a “reasonable” way to live, how grace—not willpower—fuels real change, and what a renewed mind looks like in everyday choices. After grounding the conversation in the gospel’s “therefore,” we explore how presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice reshapes ambition, identity, and practice. From there, we unpack discernment: learning to recognize God’s good and perfect will through Scripture, honest prayer, and wise community while resisting the world’s pressure to conform.

We also get practical about humility and calling. God measures faith and distributes gifts, so the church thrives as one body with many roles. You’ll hear how prophetic conviction, patient teaching, steady service, generous giving, diligent leadership, and cheerful mercy work together—not as spiritual status symbols but as acts of worship. Along the way, we confront a counterfeit kindness that blesses what breaks people. Love without hypocrisy means abhorring evil, clinging to what is good, and pointing hurting hearts to the cross where forgiveness and freedom are found.

Finally, we draw a simple map for resilient discipleship: honor others, keep at it when it’s hard, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, stay steadfast in prayer, and practice hospitality that turns beliefs into welcome. If you’re weary from trying to be “good enough,” this conversation will help you trade striving for Spirit-empowered living and find your place in the family of God. 

If the message resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who could use some hope, and leave a review telling us which part of Romans 12 challenged you most.

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