Peter writes to Christians who are ostracized, bullied and struggling. He encourages them to prepare for action and to live holy lives because of what Jesus has done on the cross. Today we live in a post-Christendom culture that grows in hostility toward Christianity and moving Christian ideals to the margins. We have become marginalized and unchosen by the culture but we are still chosen by God and ransomed by the blood of Jesus to be called family and to live the way of Jesus with boldness and peace.