In our impatient, self-centered world, the quality of longsuffering has nearly vanished. Longsuffering, akin to patience and forbearance, is the self-restraint shown in the face of provocation, where one is not quick to retaliate or punish those who insult, offend, or harm. It stands as the opposite of anger and is closely tied to mercy. As an attribute of God, longsuffering is a fruit of His Holy Spirit. God bears long and is slow to anger, demonstrating His longsuffering nature. This quality proves His goodness, faithfulness, and desire to grant us salvation. His longsuffering is seen in His gracious restraint of wrath toward those who deserve it, relenting from harm even amidst a rebellious world. Unlike human impulsiveness, He holds the end in view with true insight, knowing what is best. Christ exemplifies longsuffering through His patient and enduring handling of sinners. He sets the standard for this quality, and God promises to be long-tempered with us as we repent and dedicate ourselves to obedience and service to Him. Many of God's servants also develop longsuffering through their dedication to Him. As the elect of God, we must clothe ourselves with longsuffering, fostering unity and reducing friction within the church. To be loving and effective, a minister must correct, rebuke, and encourage with longsuffering. This quality strengthens us spiritually, growing only as a fruit of the Spirit from the root of love, bearing fruit alongside other spiritual gifts. Longsuffering is the patient endurance of offense, tolerating the actions of others against us even when severely tried.

In our self-centered world of intolerance, the quality of longsuffering has all but perished. Longsuffering is undervalued by many, yet it is a vital attribute that saves us from discouragement in the face of evil and aids in cultivating godliness and developing complete Christian character. It is the quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation, not quick to retaliate or punish those who insult, offend, or harm us, standing as the opposite of anger and closely associated with mercy. The Greek word "makrothumia," translated as longsuffering, signifies even-temperedness, an attitude that, despite injury or insult, does not retaliate, primarily in relation to people rather than circumstances. This contrasts with "hupomone," which denotes patient endurance of things or situations. Longsuffering, as exemplified by David in dealing with aggravations, shows a calm and unruffled attitude toward others. James urges us to exercise longsuffering toward those who oppress us, whether outsiders or insiders who irritate us, and not to grumble against each other with inner distress or bitterness. Longsuffering is an attribute of God, who displays it toward us even when our wills fight against Him. He is slow to anger, enduring long the wickedness and rebellion of humanity, tolerating provocation with gracious restraint before acting in judgment. Examples from the wilderness journey of the Israelites reveal their impatience and grumbling, contrasting sharply with God's longsuffering nature as He bore with their disloyalty and provocations, giving them time to repent. This same longsuffering is seen in His dealings with Pharaoh and the Egyptians, enduring their obstinate rebellion before punishment, proving that such consequences stem from their own refusal of His way. God's longsuffering is proof of His goodness and desire to grant salvation, listening untiringly to His elect in trials while waiting for the proper time to act on our behalf. Jesus Christ exemplifies this longsuffering, forbearing and enduring sinners, setting the standard by which it is measured. We, as Christians, have a personal responsibility to pass on His longsuffering to others, just as He has shown it to us. Paul exhorts us to convince, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering, emphasizing that God's delay is gracious, not caused by inability or indifference, but as an opportunity for repentance. Longsuffering is essential in relationships, including within the church and between husbands and wives, requiring us to bear with one another's faults and idiosyncrasies. It is a characteristic of love, without which Christian fellowship cannot exist. As a fruit of the Spirit, longsuffering grows from the root of love, manifesting as patient endurance of offense and a refusal to retaliate even when possible. We are to be as longsuffering with others as God has been with us, praising Him for His longsuffering that leads to salvation.

Longsuffering, listed in Galatians 5:22 as one of the fruits of the Spirit, embodies a long-enduring temper. This quality is exemplified in personal patience, as seen in a father who remained calm amidst chaos, never losing his temper or using harsh words, even when faced with frustrating situations like a slipped wrench or a busted knuckle. He would count to ten swiftly to maintain control, demonstrating this enduring patience day after day. Above all, longsuffering is profoundly displayed by God toward mankind. From the beginning, when Adam and Eve rejected His rule in the Garden of Eden, God had the right to destroy them, yet instead, He patiently made tunics of skin for them, taking time and effort to cover their shame. His longsuffering continued through generations, as seen in the time of Noah, when He waited patiently for 120 years while the ark was built, giving mankind ample warning to repent before the Flood. With Abraham, Isaac, and especially Jacob, His patience endured, and it was tested mightily with the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. Despite their endless complaints and rejection of His governance, as when they demanded a king in the time of Samuel, God bore with them, hearing their cries and delivering them through miraculous events like the parting of the Red Sea. Even with Moses, who initially resisted His call with excuses and insecurities, God exercised patience, guiding him to surrender in faith. Throughout history, from the prophets warning of impending doom to the time of Christ, who was rejected and killed yet prayed for forgiveness for His persecutors, God's longsuffering remained evident. As declared in Exodus 34, He is merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity and sin, though not acquitting the unrepentant guilty. His patience, however, has a limit, and a time will come when His longsuffering gives way to wrath, as foretold for the great tribulation and the Day of the Lord. Yet, even after such wrath, His longsuffering is expected to be restored in the Millennium during the thousand-year reign of Christ.

This message, acquiring inspiration from Lone Survivor, the story of Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell and his fallen teammates, explores how extreme training forged an unbreakable brotherhood, characterized by love, sacrifice, and a commitment to never let another down. The Navy Seals fear is not of death, but of failing their team—drawing a powerful parallel to the bond Christ desires among His disciples. Just as the way SEAL's are identified by their love for each other, Jesus commands His disciples, then and now, to be recognized by their love—not just any love, but by the self-sacrificing, enduring love He demonstrated (John 13:34- 35). This kind of love is characterized as longsuffering (patient endurance through mistreatment) and kindness (active goodness, even toward enemies). These principles are not optional but are commands. As Jesus publicly identifies Himself with physical Israel and the Israel of God, He identifies with us when we follow His command to love one another. Only when we practice this radical Christ-like love (patient, kind, forgiving) is how the world will know we truly belong to Him.