Peter makes it clear that we are to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of Christ. That is to say, in the present, whilst we wait for Christ to return, this is the time when we are to pursue godliness. It is not something for the future or the past but for the here and now. The expectation of Christ’s return should show itself in a life of active Christian righteousness.1
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!