Devotional
Relationships

21. Ephesians 4:2: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." 22. 1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

Relationships

Relationship is a connection, through love. Love is a close bond with another that goes deeper than affection, attraction, lust, or friendship. It's a deep mutual expression of respect, trust, honesty, integrity, intimacy, chemistry, and best experienced together. Relationships are defined in four types of loves: “Affectionate, “Brotherly,” “Romantic” and “Divine” love. Below, we will recognize and respect the true nature and behaviors of each component in their respective role and how the relate to family, friends, community and church through scriptures.

Affectionate Love

Affection is the most humble. It is the love of enjoying someone or something; its bond and fondness of familiarity, The natural love of family; a mother and father to a child; relationship with elders, and relationship with siblings; it’s a natural as affection as in the love of nature or the love of a pastime or hobby. It is a familiarity that pays less attention to the value or worth; nor does it discriminate.

Friendship (Brotherly love)

the strong bond existing between people who share common values, interests or activities, it is a love not bonded by blood but is freely chosen. This is a love between friends as close as siblings in strength and duration can be a deeply appreciative love, Each believed to be his own unique treasure, loyalty and devotion.

Romantic Love

Romantic love is a gift from the Heavenly Father when placed in its proper perspective (i.e., husband and wives). Romance can grow from a friendship; it takes time to know one another; appreciate one another…it is a two-way street and never one sided. A time to deepen the relationship based on familiarity, likeness can grow into a mature love; thus, able to enjoy the romance.

Divine Love

This is the highest and most unselfish of the loves, the love the Apostle Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13. It is also called Charity. It is not natural; it goes against our very natures. It loves the unlovable, undeserving, the ugly. It gives all and asks for nothing in return. God is Love, and that love we all will slowly develop as we grown in Him: We begin to change from natural to supernatural. Contrary to popular understanding, the significance of Agape is not that it is an unconditional love, but that it is primarily a love of the will, rather than of the emotions. The Lord Jesus commands his disciples to remain in his love (John 15:9), and adds, John 15:10, ‘If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.’

In all relationships: affectionate, friendship or romantic – when not guarded nor spiritually empowered in fellowship of God, a relationship can become; dysfunctional, hurtful, betrayal or dissention. Whether you’re starting out a new relationship, have been married for years, simply love your friends, or adore your family, your work environment or your community or church, there’s always a way to incorporate God into each of the unique relationships in your life.

James 1:17 tells us that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Scriptures:

Family and friends:

In any relationship in our lives — romantic, friendship, family, etc. — it's the key for us to be humble, patient, kind, and eager to listen. If we channel the Holy Spirit in all that we do, we'll receive the same qualities back.

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-8- Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” –
• 1 Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
• “Psalm 127:3-5- Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
• Ephesians 4:1-3 "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
• James 1:19-20 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
• Colossians 3:13 “Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
• “Luke 6:31And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” –

Working Relations:

From the humblest position to the highest position, , you are where you’re supposed to be and you are a blessing, you have a purpose.

• (1 Corinthians 10:31) This is what Paul had in mind when he wrote, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” 
• Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
• Colossians 3: 13-14. "Make allowance for each other's faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony."
• Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
• Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
God is the highest power and can only be the true judge of our character in heaven. Therefore, when you're interacting with others (especially those closest to you), listen carefully, be quick to forgive, and above all, watch your temper.

Church Relationship
Relationships created and formed by the love of God and established and maintained in the unity of the Spirit are the pillars of the Church the Lord. Church relationships are built in the body of Christ and each are given a gift; no one gift is better than another, but are divinely connected: 

• (Ephesians 4:11-16) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
• Matthew 18:20 / For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
• “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.”
• 1 Peter 4:11 Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
• Romans 12:4-5 / For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Community (Social, Economic, Civil)

God calls us to fellowship with one another on earth because it reflects the fellowship, we will have with one another in heaven... How we serve God is how we serve those around us—the hurt, the broken, the weeping, the neglected, the voiceless, and frankly, that defines all of us. The more we open our eyes to see each other as children of the Most High, the clearer we will be able to see the common cord that binds us together: the hope and glory of Christ. Allow these pieces of Scripture to inspire the pursuit of deep-rooted community.
• Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” –
• 1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." ... Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose."
• Romans 15:5-7 / May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
• 1 Peter 3:8 / Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
• Romans 12:19 "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"
• Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” –