Standing in the midst of rapidly shifting cultural sands, how ought Christians to live as witnesses for Christ in the modern western world? The more things change, the more we have to learn from the New Testament, written to believers inhabiting a pagan culture, much like our own. 1 Peter has a lot to teach us on how to serve Christ in societies shaped by ignorance and rejection of the true God. 1 Peter is a critical book of Scripture for study by Christians today, due to its emphasis on serving Christ in a world that is hostile to him and the gospel. It speaks to the Christian today in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, South Africa, or indeed much of Asia just as it did to the converts in Asia Minor to whom it was first addressed, living in the midst of pagan lands. In the words of Peter: "I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand."