Michael Link – Church of the Eternal God

What is longsuffering, and why does God allow His people to go through it?

August 21, 2026August 20, 2026

When we read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, one word stands out in particular: longsuffering. It has affected many within the Church of God, and it is something we must understand correctly. God has the power to fulfill all things, and long suffering requires ongoing patience. Patience and longsuffering go hand in hand.

Longsuffering means having patience in spite of troubles. It requires ongoing patience to wait faithfully for Christ’s return, even though we do not know exactly when that will be. In the meantime, we face trials, live in a world filled with hate and violence, and struggle to live God’s Way of Life. In this day and age, we have been called out of this world for a reason—to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and to prepare mankind for Christ’s Second Coming—and we have been given God’s knowledge and power to apply this in our lives. When we suffer from sickness, for example, we must pray continually for God’s healing and trust Him to answer in His time. We must believe that God will fulfill His promise to heal us and to continue to use us in His service, even though He might not intervene right away.

Christ endured longsuffering during His life on earth to fulfill His mission, which included saving us from death. He lived as a human being, preached the Gospel, and sacrificed Himself for all mankind so that we may live and receive forgiveness of sins. He knew He would face a horrible death, yet He remained obedient to God the Father. He asked that the cup pass from Him three times, even though He knew that this was not possible. And so, He submitted to God’s Will for our sake (compare Matthew 26:39-44).

God the Father and Jesus Christ are patient, merciful, and longsuffering, as the Bible shows in many places (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalms 86:15). We read in 2 Peter 3:14-15: “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you.”

We also read in 2 Peter 3:9:

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Also, let’s notice Romans 2:4: “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

We know that God the Father and Christ are longsuffering with us, because we sin at times and yet God still gives us life and mercy. Jesus Christ was the God of the Old Testament, dealing directly and personally with the people, but He acted on behalf of the Father, being totally unified with Him, His Will and His mindset. That is why we read that God is “one.” However, God’s longsuffering is not endless. He gave people many chances to repent and live His Way, but when disobedience and disregard for the Truth continued, there came a point when His longsuffering ended (Genesis 6:5-12). It was not because of His gentleness or kindness that destroyed mankind, but man’s own corrupt and carnal behavior led to their destruction. We see similar attitudes in society today, and it will only grow worse until Christ returns and stops the total destruction of this world.

Israel endured longsuffering while enslaved in Egypt, waiting for the day when they would be freed. They would be blessed if they agreed to keep God’s Law (Exodus 19:1, 3-8). God also endured longsuffering with the Israelites, but it eventually came to an end when He removed the inheritance He had given them after they repeatedly defied His righteous rule. They had agreed to keep God’s Law, and they knew that disobedience would bring curses and eventually exile from the land God had given them as a blessing (Deuteronomy 28).

This was a strong warning for the Israelites, and it is a warning for us today. If only they had stopped sinning and repented, events would have unfolded differently. God was still patient with them, but after several hundred years of rebellion and repeated efforts to turn them back to the right path, He finally drove Israel out of their inheritance through the king of Assyria (2 Kings 17:5-18).

Israel was not the only nation to reject God’s commandments; Judah followed their example as well (2 Kings 17:19). Eventually, God also removed them from the land through the king of Babylon (2 Kings 24:1-4). The two main reasons for their captivity was Sabbath-breaking and idolatry. We must be careful not to fall into the trap of this world, thinking it is acceptable to keep pagan practices and traditions because “everyone else is doing it.” That attitude is dangerous, and those who once knew the Truth but returned to the world, by, for example, forsaking the Sabbath and the Holy Days and keeping instead Christmas or Easter, will face a sobering awakening when they cry out to God: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Saul is a warning example of a man who seemed to have everything going for him until pride took hold and he began to fear men more than God, losing his humility and trust (1 Samuel 15:17-25). As a result, God rejected him (compare verse 26). God withdrew His mercy, took the kingdom from him, withdrew His Spirit, and allowed an evil spirit to trouble him, which led him farther and farther from righteousness and ultimately to his death (1 Samuel 15:28; 16:14; 22:16-19; 31:1-6). This is a serious warning: God gave him a chance, and he failed. We must make sure that the same does not happen to us.

At that time, God’s longsuffering had ended for Israel, Judah, and certain individuals like Saul. But there is still hope: In the future, mankind will have a chance to obey God and live His Way. This would include ancient Israel and Judah, but not King Saul, who committed the unpardonable sin. This process of universal salvation for most people will begin with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and God’s rule over the earth, as it is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Those who endure to the end will experience in the first resurrection what is described in Revelation 20:4-6. The old things will be forgotten, because God will make all things new again (Revelation 21:4, 7-8). Those who think God’s commandments have been done away with are mistaken; Jesus says in the last chapter of the Book of Revelation that God’s Law still stands: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).

Our longsuffering will come to an end, just as God’s longsuffering for mankind will come to an end, and everyone who did not commit the unpardonable sin will have the chance to live a perfect life and receive God’s reward, as we read in verse 12:“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Do we understand why we suffer? How could we become perfect or grow in knowledge if we never went through trials? Each of us face different struggles in life, often in the areas that affect us most. We will continue to endure suffering until Christ returns, because these experiences help train us to become perfect and immortal beings prepared to share God’s righteousness in the future. Christ also suffered on earth for our sake, giving mankind the opportunity to become part of God’s Family, and we have that first opportunity now. Christ understands what we go through, and Peter reminds us that we are blessed in our sufferings and that we suffer for God’s glory (1 Peter 3:14, 17; 4:12-19).

We need to look at the bigger picture and understand that with God’s help, nothing we face is too difficult to overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). God knows what we are going through, and He will bless and take care of us if we put our faith and trust in Him. Our longsuffering will soon come to an end and give way to the peace, restoration, and the joy of God’s Kingdom.

Lead Writer: Michael Link

Forging Ahead

July 25, 2026July 25, 2026 by Michael Link

By using the analogy of chess and focusing on the pawn, we can see throughout the Bible how God chose “regular common” individuals to fulfill His purpose. At first glance, the pawn is considered the weakest piece, and it is only able to move forward; however, its significance increases as it reaches the other side of the chessboard, becoming more valuable by reaching its full potential. Just like us, we have a similar goal in life as we move forward, learning from mistakes along the way, so we can ultimately reach our goal of eternal life.

Download Audio

The Wisdom of Self-Control

July 10, 2026July 9, 2026 by Michael Link

Thinking before we act is something we all strive to do on a daily basis, yet in moments of pressure, offense, or emotion, we can respond too quickly and regret it later. Proverbs 16 teaches that while people may believe their own ways are right, God weighs the motives of the heart. It reminds us to commit our plans to God, trust His guidance, value honest words, listen to instruction, avoid pride and conflict, and practice patience and self-control. Proverbs 13:16 says that “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.” This contrasts wisdom with foolishness by showing the importance of thinking carefully before taking action.

This principle especially applies when we are offended or confronted. When someone says something hurtful, false, or even partly true, our first reaction may be anger, defensiveness, or a desire to get even. But God expects us to respond with wisdom, patience, and self-control. Even when we must stand up for what is right, especially when defending biblical Truth, how we answer matters. We should not respond in a way that becomes offensive or sinful. In heated situations, instead of blurting out the first thing that comes to mind, we should pause, pray, and ask God for the right words.

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of wise action. Throughout His life, He was questioned, ridiculed, tempted, and tested by people who opposed Him. Satan also tempted Him directly after His baptism, twisting Scripture and appealing to human nature. Yet Christ responded with wisdom, Truth, and self-control (compare Matthew 4:1-11). He did not sin, even when confronted repeatedly. His example shows us that we must know God’s Word well enough to answer wisely and resist deception.

As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ, as it says in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Through baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit, we are given access to God’s power, wisdom, and understanding. However, we still have a part to play. We must continue studying, praying, meditating on God’s Law, attending Church services when able, fellowshipping with others of like mind, and consistently practicing God’s Way of Life. God’s Holy Spirit helps us make right choices, grow in faith, and become more like Christ, but we must actively use that gift (compare Ephesians 3:16-20; 4:13).

The Bible also warns us about offenses, which can cause people to sin or lead others away from God. We must recognize both the offenses that come from others and those that may come from within ourselves. Christ warned about the seriousness of causing others to stumble, and we should regularly examine our own attitudes, words, and actions (compare Matthew 18:6-7).

Many people may be offended by what we believe, just as many were offended by Christ. The Pharisees tried to trap Him, question Him, and prove Him wrong, but He always answered with wisdom and authority (compare Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 12:13-17). Likewise, our beliefs may be challenged by friends, family, co-workers, or others. We must be prepared to respond with Truth, but also with the right Spirit.

Ultimately, we face the same kinds of trials, temptations, and tests of faith that Christ faced. Our knowledge, faith, patience, and self-control are tested by how we respond when offended or pressured. We must let wisdom lead and direct our actions, seek God’s guidance, and follow Christ’s example in every situation. Our goal is to answer wisely, act righteously, and grow toward the perfection that God desires for us.

When Nations Come Together

July 4, 2026July 4, 2026 by Michael Link

What major event brings nations from all over the world together, especially through the inspiring underdog story of a particular nation, showing how the world can briefly rally around courage, pride, and shared joy? This unity is short-lived, as conflict, division, and war will persist after the tournament ends. Only the return of Jesus Christ will bring true and permanent peace, when all nations will be unified under one divine rule with no more war, suffering, deception, or sorrow.

Download Audio

Clean in an Unclean World

June 20, 2026June 20, 2026 by Michael Link

What makes us unique and sets us apart from those in the world who have not yet been called? What is required of us to remain clean—both physically and spiritually—in an unclean world, and what help do we have? How do we bear the fruits of righteousness?

Download Audio

Human Suffering, Why…and How Much Longer?

June 2, 2026June 2, 2026

To Request a FREE hard copy of this booklet, please click here or write to: contact@eternalgod.org

Why is there so much suffering in the world? Why do we all experience suffering, pain, and even death? Why don’t we have peace with other people or even other nations? Why do many feel this life seems to have no purpose? Is there a reason we all go through suffering?

Please request a free copy of this booklet at eternalgod.org, which will give you the answers to all these questions, and a promise that all suffering will come to an end in the very near future.

The Work Will Go On

May 16, 2026May 17, 2026 by Michael Link

God has given us a responsibility to fulfill. What does He expect of us, and what reward does He promise those who zealously commit themselves to this task?

Download Audio

The Responsibility Is Ours

May 15, 2026May 14, 2026 by Michael Link

What does God expect of us?

We have an individual responsibility to respond to God’s calling with expectation and faith, for He has called each of us for a reason: to fulfill the plan He has for us. To take it personally, we are responsible for ourselves and for our salvation, because we choose for ourselves whether we will obey God. Nobody else can determine that for us. We will all give an account for our actions.

2 Corinthians 5:10 says that we will ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ, “that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” God is interested in each of us individually, in how we have lived our lives, and in whether or not we are counted worthy to be part of His Family. Does God count us worthy enough to be in His Family?

When we go before God in prayer, we must truly repent of our sins. We have to do this again and again because we constantly sin, and therefore, we must always examine ourselves and how we live our lives. If we forget to do that, it becomes easier to slip up while also forgetting to ask God for forgiveness. We must be strong-willed and have a clear, focused mind. We need to continue asking God for strength and for more of His Holy Spirit, just as David did over and over again.

Sometimes it is difficult to keep out of someone else’s matters; especially, when it comes to our own spiritual salvation. There is nothing wrong with trying to help another person when he or she is slipping, but we must be careful that we do not slip ourselves. In Galatians 6:1-5, we read, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.”

We need to concentrate on how WE are going to make it since each of us will give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:12).

The concept of personal responsibility is taught in the Bible. Ezekiel 18:20 says: “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Isaiah 3:10-11 (NIV) also states: “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.”

God clearly defined what is right and wrong from the beginning of the Bible with Adam and Eve, and He still expects His people to do what is right today. Everyone who has sinned along the way has been held responsible for his or her actions, just as we are responsible for ours. There were times when people tried to avoid personal responsibility by blaming others. Adam tried to blame Eve, Eve tried to blame Satan, and so on. We cannot fool God, and attempts to pass the blame to others when we ourselves have sinned will not work. We cannot hide our sins either: “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

When God specifically commands what we are to do, He expects us to obey. Those who choose to reject the Truth of God are without excuse, as Romans 1:20 (NIV) points out: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

We must do what we need to do and continue to fulfill our responsibility.

Reasons for Trials

April 25, 2026April 26, 2026 by Michael Link

A follow-up to the message “Keep Going” given on April 18, 2026. What are our initial reactions when we are faced with trials? Is there a purpose behind them? Focusing on Paul, how did he react to his many trials and what was his motivation? How can we relate?

Download Audio

Keep Going

April 18, 2026April 18, 2026 by Michael Link

Even when we find ourselves in unexpected circumstances, and our patience and strength are tested, how do we keep going when things seem hopeless? Here is a true story of my family’s trip to Germany and the absolute chaos we faced at the airports along the way.

Download Audio