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I Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

(NIV)


Peter begins this first letter with a bang. Besides seeing the "to:" and the "from:" we also get a couple of reminders.

The reminder is that we are God's elect. The word "elect" means chosen. We are God's chosen people. This phrase stems way back to the Israelites, who were always referred to as God's Chosen People. When the Jews rejected the Messiah, God (thankfully) broadened the scope of His chosen people.

I am trying to summarize, way too shortly, a very important concept. But notice that Peter just throws it in as a reminder to the recipients of this letter, so that they will know who they are.

We also have the reminder that we don't belong here. We are strangers in this world. Our citizenship is now in heaven, and we are just passing through.

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