May 6, 2025

What is “lovingkindness,” especially as spoken of concerning Yahweh’s view of it? It would be good for us to fully appreciate Yahweh’s love and concern for each of us. The Hebrew word “hesed,” expresses Yahweh’s mercy and love for us, His lovingkindness can also be seen in the New Testament’s use even as grace. I think it’s implications reach beyond our generally casual thoughts, which can get distracted by too many issues around us. When I study the Bible, oftentimes I find myself thinking more carefully about words… words mean thing, really, and they usually reach further into things than we think of because we have a tendency to “nuke” everything and move on to the next thing on our “to do” list… taking time to think things through really is of great value to all things we must deal with. This link will give you a more in depth look at “lovingkindness.”

The Bible tells us Yahweh’s ways are above our ways, and His thoughts are above our thoughts.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” is 55:8-9 nkjv

Paul teaches the Philippians “lovingkindness and Christlikeness.”

  “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” phi 2:1-5 nkjv

Paul also told them, “think in a Christlike manner.”

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” phil 4:8 nkjv

When the teachings of the Bible manifest into living actions in our lives, we become more like the disciples Yahweh desires for us to be… The Bible, the “Word of God,” is the seed Yeshua talked of in Luke 8:11,  in His explanation of the parable of the sower. Seed is the beginning of fruit… The Torah, forever settled Word of God, will accomplish in all things that Yahweh sent it forth to do. Isa 55:11…  thankfully it does that same “working” in our hearts and minds… so we will have the “mind” of Yeshua in us… Yahweh’s Word is Spirit, it is life. jn 6:63  What then is this fruit that comes from this work of the Torah/Spirit/Word in us? Paul tells us the answer in Galatians:

“ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control [patience]. Against such there is no law.” gal 5:22-23 nkjv  This describes the very nature of Yahweh, and by it working in us, we become the “offspring” of Yahweh [Yeshua in us, the hope of glory, col 1:27 nkjv].

The main conclusion, to me, as I understand the Word and its purpose… the above is given to us by Yahweh’s lovingkindness, by and through Yeshua, so that every issue in life is in our control, if we embrace these “seeds” of life and allow them to manifest their “fruit” in our thinking and acting…

So then, what would try to keep us from living this “purpose” that Yahweh’s lovingkindness has intended for us? Paul also addresses this question:

“ I say then: Walk in the Spirit [Word], and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” gal 5:16-21 nkjv

Well, Heavenly Father, help us walk with You… not the ways of this world and its appeal to our flesh. May the truth that Your Word works in us, both to will and to do of Your good pleasure, surely be revealed in us day by day.

Shalom, John