Peter had earlier identified his readers as “elect exiles…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Peter 1:1–2). As persons “born again” (1 Peter 1:3), they have a living relation to God the Father
who elected them. Consistent with that relationship, they ought to act “as obedient children,” an instruction that requires them to obey readily the will of their heavenly Father. To say it differently, as children take their cue from their fathers, so these elect persons need to take their cues from the God who is holy, and so be holy themselves.
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,