As Peter begins his letter, he introduces the way in which this true grace of God changes everything for the Christian. Their status. They are no longer citizens of this world. They have now become travelers, sojourners in the world, passing through as elect exiles, whose heavenly dwelling is at their journey’s end. Obviously Peter is picking up on Old Testament themes, but instead of reinforcing them with the uncertainties that beset the Israelites, Peter infuses them with the assurance that just as Jesus, the perfect head of God’s people, was exiled before entering his heavenly home again, so too they can journey with confidence.