The message of 1 Peter is one of encouragement to Gentile Christians who were being persecuted because they were Christians.

God’s temple—God’s multinational covenant dwelling place.

We are entering the last phase of the ministry of Jesus. From here on everything is shadowed by the coming cross, until the days of deep darkness are reached and passed, as the darkness merges into the dawn and the glory of the resurrection.

When we read the Old Testament we are made keenly aware that those invited were the Jews. Well, Gentiles were kind of left out. They seem always to have been on the outside looking in. However, in our passage today we will see something different.

Love outside the Church is a command no Christian can afford to neglect.