The concept of God's loving-kindness is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His enduring mercy and compassion towards His people. This divine attribute is often associated with the Hebrew word "chesed," which encompasses love, kindness, mercy, and faithfulness. God's loving-kindness is not merely an abstract quality but is actively demonstrated in His interactions with the saints—those who are set apart for His purposes.

Scriptural Foundations

The loving-kindness of God is vividly portrayed in the Old Testament, where it is frequently linked to His covenantal faithfulness. In Exodus 34:6-7 , God reveals Himself to Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." This passage underscores the enduring nature of God's mercy and His willingness to forgive.

The Psalms are replete with references to God's loving-kindness. Psalm 136 repeatedly emphasizes, "His loving devotion endures forever," highlighting the perpetual and unwavering nature of His mercy. In Psalm 103:11 , it is written, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him." Here, the psalmist celebrates the vastness of God's mercy towards those who revere Him.

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the loving-kindness of God is most fully revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, the saints receive the ultimate expression of God's mercy. Titus 3:4-5 states, "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." This passage highlights that salvation is an act of divine mercy, not human merit.

The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of God's mercy in his epistles. In Ephesians 2:4-5 , he writes, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!" Here, Paul emphasizes that it is through God's rich mercy that believers are brought from death to life in Christ.

Experiencing God's Mercy

The saints experience God's loving-kindness in various ways. Firstly, they receive forgiveness of sins, as seen in 1 John 1:9 : "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This assurance of forgiveness is a profound expression of God's mercy.

Secondly, God's loving-kindness is evident in His provision and protection. In Philippians 4:19 , Paul assures the believers, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This promise reflects God's ongoing care and provision for His people.

Lastly, the saints experience God's mercy through His presence and guidance. In Psalm 23:6 , David declares, "Surely goodness and loving devotion will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." This verse encapsulates the assurance of God's continual presence and the hope of eternal fellowship with Him.

Conclusion

The loving-kindness of God is a profound and enduring aspect of His character, manifesting in the lives of the saints through forgiveness, provision, and guidance. Through the Scriptures, believers are reminded of the depth of God's mercy and are encouraged to live in response to His gracious love.Isaiah 54:8
In a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, said the LORD your Redeemer.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Mercy of God
... 10] As God's mercy makes the saints happy, so ... Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies.' Psalm 103 ... God has treasures of mercy; prayer is the key ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/9 the mercy of god.htm

The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the ...
... we may find part and inheritance with all Thy saints that have ... now we beseech Thee,
O Lord our God, make us worthy of perfect loving-kindness; make straight ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of james.htm

Healing for the Wounded
... You remember that passage in the Psalms: "Loving kindness and tender ... doctrine do
assert that children of God may be lost ... for we know that he keepeth the saints. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/healing for the wounded.htm

Philemon i. 17-19
... For the things that proceed from Saints are of themselves serious, even when they
are pleasantry. ... you say: what is the lovingkindness of God, if He is not ...
/.../homily iii philemon i 17-19.htm

Heaviness through Manifold Temptations
... be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light ... deeply sensible they are of
the loving-kindness of God ... works which he has wrought for God; and likewise ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 47 heaviness through manifold.htm

Our Miseries, Messengers of Mercy
... there was Job"will you equal him among the saints? ... in that heavy hand, and infinite
lovingkindness in their ... God only gives the wicked prosperity as we give ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/our miseries messengers of mercy.htm

Hebrews vi. 7, 8
... [2.] In this passage he intimates the lovingkindness of God ... life and in faith; these
others however are saints by their ... Matthew 7:1.) Do thou act for God's sake ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily x hebrews vi 7.htm

2 Cor. Iv. 1, 2
... and this from mercy only and loving-kindness, should show ... secret; they had the character
of saints and approved ... shining of this Light, but God Himself through ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily viii 2 cor iv.htm

(On the Mysteries. V. )
... O most surpassing loving-kindness of God ... another place, to a company of unscathed
saints, giving thanks for deliverance from temptation, Thou, O God hast proved ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xxiii on the mysteries.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 19-22
... shining, as, for instance, Paul and Peter, and all those Saints; while others ... be
inclined to pity; that thou mayest admire the lovingkindness of God; for if ...
/.../homily xi 1 thessalonians v.htm

What is brotherly kindness? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4)? | GotQuestions.org

Why is God so different in the Old Testament than He is in the New Testament? | GotQuestions.org

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