Peter encourages believers to live holy lives as they wait for Christ's return. Some will doubt and deny that Christ will return, living according to their desires. However, God's perspective is different - what seems a long time to humans is brief to God. Believers should hasten Christ's return by preaching the gospel and living godly lives. Living in this way finds them at peace when Christ returns as a thief in the night. Believers are warned not to make excuses for sinning or be influenced by error, but to grow in grace through Christ.