Read about this class:

This class led by Bishop Benjamin was centered on a timeless message—God’s love, which is meant to be passed on from one generation to the next. Drawing inspiration from the Psalms and the book of Genesis, he challenged believers to embrace a love that is steadfast, transformative, and deeply rooted in our identity as God’s children.

The Enduring Nature of Divine Love

At the heart of the session was the powerful declaration found in Psalms 100:5:
“For the LORD is good: his mercy endureth forever; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Bishop Benjamin emphasized that God’s love is not a fleeting emotion but an everlasting truth that sustains us in every season of life. This divine love is the foundation for our hope, the key to reconciliation, and the legacy we are called to pass on.

Our Divine Identity and Right to Dominion

Reflecting on the creation account in Genesis, the Bishop reminded us that God created the heavens and a singular, special earth for His purposes. When He declared, “Let us make man in our image,” He endowed us with a unique identity—one that grants us not only rights and responsibilities but also a mandate to exercise dominion.

We are not merely physical beings; we are spiritual beings born from God’s creative thought. Our bodies are temporary, but our spirit, infused with God’s life, gives us the power to overcome challenges and shape our world. This identity is our birthright—a treasure meant to be nurtured and shared.

True Love Versus Human Love

Bishop Benjamin contrasted the unchanging, unconditional love of God with the often conditional nature of human love. True love, or agape, is the kind that “endureth all things” and is expressed not just in words but through actions that bring about reconciliation and healing.

He urged believers to examine their relationships and to seek out those who truly reflect God’s love. Genuine love strengthens, unites, and empowers us, whereas false love—marked by conditions and self-interest—leads only to division and disappointment.

Cultivating Authentic Relationships

A significant part of the teaching focused on the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right people. Bishop Benjamin described three types of relationships:

• Confidants: Those who remain by your side through thick and thin, offering unwavering support.
• Constituents: People who share common values and causes with you, though their support may waver when challenges arise.
• Comrades: Individuals who join you because you share a common opposition to injustice, even if you have little else in common.

He challenged us to reflect on our own lives: Who are the people you can call in the middle of a storm? Genuine relationships are not only a blessing but a source of sustaining strength that helps us remain unshakable in God’s love.

Love in the Midst of Chaos

In today’s world—rife with social division, political upheaval, and personal trials—it is easy to become overwhelmed. Bishop Benjamin acknowledged the chaos that has characterized recent years, yet he encouraged us not to be defeated. Instead, we are to declare, “Let there be light!” Just as God brought forth light from darkness at the beginning of creation, we too are called to open new pathways and create opportunities for healing and growth.

He passionately reminded us that the chaos we experience is temporary, and with God’s love, new opportunities arise. Our task is to step forward with courage, build a new economy of faith, and transform our environment with the power of genuine, God-centered love.

Embracing the Holiday Season with a Renewed Heart

As Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's approach, Bishop Benjamin urged believers to let the spirit of these seasons—characterized by hope, renewal, and reconciliation—fill our hearts. The birth of Jesus, a demonstration of God’s immeasurable love, calls us to reflect on our own lives and to live out His love in every interaction.

This is not merely a time to celebrate past victories but a time to prepare for the future—to build relationships, foster unity, and extend compassion to all, even to those who may oppose us.

A Call to Action

Bishop Benjamin concluded with a powerful challenge:

• Know Who You Are: Embrace your identity as God’s offspring, created in His image, with an inherent right to dominion.
• Cultivate Real Relationships: Identify your true confidants, constituents, and comrades who will support you through life’s ups and downs.
• Step Out in Love: Do not allow the chaos of the world to dampen your spirit. Instead, press forward with the conviction that God’s love creates possibilities where none seem to exist.
• Be a Beacon of Unity: In a divided world, let your life be a testimony of reconciliation and healing—a reflection of the unchanging love of God.

Conclusion

In these challenging times, Bishop Benjamin’s message is a clarion call to rediscover and pass on the love that endures forever. As we stand on the threshold of a new year, may we embrace our divine identity, build authentic relationships, and boldly step into the future with hearts full of God’s love.

“For the LORD is good: his mercy endureth forever; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
Let us carry this truth into every day, becoming living witnesses of the love that God has so graciously bestowed upon us, and let it shine forth from generation to generation.