Romans 12:9 | You Can Do Everything on the Gift List and Still Be Wearing a Mask

Paul spends eight verses on spiritual gifts. Then he stops and tells you what has to be underneath all of it.

Love without hypocrisy. Anypokritos agapē. Love that is the same on the inside as it looks on the outside.

And the uncomfortable truth is that everything he just described — the service, the teaching, the exhortation, the mercy — all of it can be performed. You can do every single thing on that gift list and still be wearing a mask. God is not interested in the performance.

In this episode we sit with one of the most convicting verses in the chapter, especially for anyone in a visible ministry role. There is a version of yourself that becomes practiced over time. You learn how to show up. You learn what the room needs. And slowly, without noticing, you can end up doing the thing without being in the thing.

We also look at the two commands Paul pairs with sincere love — abhor evil, cling to good. Both verbs are stronger than they sound. This is not sin management. This is formation at the level of appetite. What you stay near shapes you. What you keep your hands on forms you. The things you cling to are shepherding you whether you name them that or not.

The question this verse is really asking is not whether your love looks genuine. It is whether it is.

Mentioned in this episode:

If you've enjoyed this devotional, would you please leave a rating and a review? You can keep up with everything at ryanloche.substack.com