Although the original readers of Peter’s letter were experiencing relatively mild opposition from their neighbors, in I Peter 3:8-22, he wanted to prepare them for worse persecution to come and the unfair suffering they would have to endure. As in all the letter, God calls on us both to preach and to practice what we preach, no matter how others might be treating us. In fact, when we endure unfair suffering as Christians, we receive special blessings and opportunities to demonstrate our faith.
It is hard to imagine what the world would be like without Saul of Tarsus (the apostle Paul), but it would have been harder...
The Parable of the Banquet illustrates the various responses to the generous invitation of the King.
In the triumphant conclusion of Exodus, God filled his dwelling and led his people, which he does today in a much greater way.