Cultivating and maintaining Godly relationships (Part 1)

 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”– John 13:34-35 (NIV)

 FROM the very beginning, God designed us not to walk through life alone, but to be connected—first to Him, and then to one another. Relationships are the frame­work of our existence, and the quality of these relationships directly impacts our spiritual, emotional, and even physical wellbeing. But in a world that often distorts the meaning of true connection, we face a challenge: How do we build and maintain relationships that reflect God’s heart?

Today, we will explore the concept of Godly relation­ships—what they are, why they matter, and how we can cultivate and sustain them in every area of our lives. Whether in friendships, family ties, professional circles, or mentorships, our relation­ships are meant to be living testimonies of God’s love and grace. As followers of Christ, we are called to live in a way that sets us apart, and one of the clearest ways we can do that is through how we relate to others. Jesus Himself said that it is by our love for one another that the world will know we are His disciples (John 13:35).

WHAT GODLY RELATION­SHIPS MEAN

Godly relationships go beyond surface connections; they are rooted in;

•love,

•service,

•forgiveness,

•and the desire to see oth­ers grow in their relationship with God.

Relationships, in all their forms, are central to the human experience. Whether within the family, friendships, work relationships, or ro­mantic partnerships, how we connect with others reveals much about who we are and what we value.

For believers in Christ, rela­tionships are not merely social contracts or exchanges of convenience; they are divine assignments—opportu­nities to manifest God’s love and character to a world in desperate need of true connection.

Godly relationships are built on;

•Love,

•Trust,

•Integrity,

•and Purpose.

They reflect God’s nature and bring healing, encour­agement, and accountabil­ity. More importantly, they demonstrate to the world the essence of God’s kingdom, where love, humility, and ser­vice to others are paramount. Cultivating and maintaining such relationships is a lifelong endeavour that requires wis­dom, patience, and reliance on God’s grace.

The Foundation of Godly Relationships

I want us to dive into sever­al key points that will help us understand what godly rela­tionships look like and how we can nurture them.

1. Godly Relationships Are Founded on Christlike Love

The first and most important point is that Godly relation­ships are rooted in Christlike love. This is the foundation upon which all other aspects of a relationship are built. When we talk about Christlike love, we refer to the sacrifi­cial, selfless love that Jesus demonstrated. It’s a love that goes beyond emotions and convenience—it is a commit­ment to care for others even when it’s difficult.

Jesus said in John 13:34- 35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Christlike love is our testimony to the world. People don’t just see our faith by what we say, but by how we love.

This love is patient, kind, forgiving, and always seeks the good of the other person, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13.

• By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author