Cultivating, multivating, maintaining Godly Relationship (Part 2)

Friendships

Friendship is one of the most common forms of relationships, yet it is often undervalued in its potential for spiritual growth and support. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” A godly friendship is one that transcends conve­nience or superficial interests. It is a bond rooted in mutual respect, encouragement, and accountability.

Jesus modelled godly friend­ship with His disciples, partic­ularly with Peter, James, and John, who formed His inner circle. He shared His heart with them, corrected them when necessary, and entrusted them with His mission.

A godly friendship is one where both individuals push each other closer to God. There is no room for gossip, jealousy, or competition, but rather a mutual commitment to growth, honesty, and support.

Family Relationships

God places us in families, not by accident, but with purpose. The family is one of the primary places where we are called to live out the principles of godly relationships.

The Bible instructs us in Ephesians 6:1-4 on the impor­tance of honouring our parents and raising our children in the fear of the Lord. In Colossians 3:19, husbands and wives are called to love and respect one another, mirroring the relation­ship between Christ and His church.

Maintaining godly family relationships requires intention­al effort. It’s easy to take our family members for granted, but God calls us to love them deeply, forgive often, and serve each other in humility. The challenges within family life—differences in personality, conflicts, or even misunder­standings—become opportuni­ties to demonstrate patience, forgiveness, and grace.

Professional Relationships

One of the most overlooked areas where godly relationships can be cultivated is in our pro­fessional lives.

Too often, we compart­mentalise our faith, failing to realize that our interactions in the workplace are opportunities to show Christ to oth­ers. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as work­ing for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Whether we are em­ployers or employees, we are called to treat those we work with fairly, with integrity and respect.

This means valuing others not just for what they can contrib­ute to the company, but for who they are as people made in the image of God.

In our professional relationships, we are ambassadors for Christ, and how we conduct ourselves speaks volumes about the faith we profess. These relationships, if culti­vated with the right motives, can lead to opportunities for mentorship, witnessing, and personal growth.

Mentorship

Mentorship is another critical aspect of godly relationships. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of mentoring relation­ships: Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, and most significantly, Jesus and His disciples.

Godly mentorship goes beyond simply giving advice or sharing knowledge; it is about investing in the spiritual and personal development of anoth­er person.

A mentor is called to guide, correct, and encourage their mentee, helping them navigate the chal­lenges of life and faith. Mentor­ship is a two-way relationship, where both mentor and mentee grow together in Christ.

Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2 is instructive: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be quali­fied to teach others.”

In other words, godly mentor­ship is not just about the indi­vidual relationship, but about equipping others to carry on the work of the Kingdom.

To be continued…

• By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author