Verse one of 1 Peter tells us we have been elected. We didn’t have to look for more votes in Georgia, it was unanimous. But Peter’s theme here is not election, but rather staying strong--with eyes on Jesus--as we suffer unjustly.
Here, south of the Rio Grande, we minister to tribal people who are expelled from their communities because of their faith. Peter is reminding the scattered that there is nothing to lose sleep over, because “God’s got this,” and we are of His holy elect.
It’s as if God is reminding them:
“Don’t worry, the end of the movie is going to be a dandy.”