On a daily basis, believers and nonbelievers alike struggle with one main demand made by God -- he requires his followers to live on his terms.

Recently, a friend told me he plans to live on his own terms, not necessarily by what the Bible teaches. Although he professes a belief in Christianity, he knows that his lifestyle isn't focused on God. His plan is to repent on his death bed.

But, according to what I read last week in 2 Peter 3, in which the God-inspired writer details a day of judgement on which God will destroy ungodly men. I know that so-called Bible banging about judgement and repentance isn't popular, but I feel like the question that the following passage clearly answers is important for all people: Since don't know when God's judgement will come, how are we supposed to live our lives? And the answer in verses 8-14 isn't one that my friend will like. The passage from the New International Version reads:

"... do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we arelooking to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him."

Applying that passage to life, we ought not to wait to live in a godly manner, the way God tells us to live. We should immediately obey God's edicts, because we don't know if we'll have time to repent on our death beds. We don't know when this "thief," the day of judgement on earth, will come. 

Instead of waiting, living how we see fit, we need to be ready. If you're going to repent, you might as well do it continually, immediately, sooner rather than later. Now.