2nd Peter chapter 3 has a section that makes it clear that discipleship is tied to a proper understanding of the day of the Lord. The section begins by speaking of the certainty of the Day of the Lord and has a couple uses of the word therefore that tie it into our being steadfast followers of the Messiah.
"14Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation..."
A true God given understanding that this age and this world system has an end breaks the hold it has on us off of us. Then we live as strangers and pilgrims, not as people who put our hope and happiness in this world system. Our peace is settled in His plan and His plan is only extending the time of this world system so that more can be shown mercy. Our peace is not dependent on anything in this world system. So when everything is shaken if we truly know this, we will not be shaken.
"17You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; " Our knowing of the ultimate truth of the Day of the Lord, of Him putting everything right, of the destruction of this world system will keep us steadfast.
Lastly James chapter 5 illustrates the point that the Day of the Lord is a strong foundation for the believer and for living properly. The chapter starts out making it clear we should not be storing up treasures in the last days and we should be treating others fairly, then he moves to verse 7. "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!"
By faith we know that this world system is coming to a close. We trust, we wait knowing that God cannot lie. We establish our hearts, which other translations say is take courage, keep hoping, stay energized and firmly committed based on the fact that the Day of the Lord is coming. And verse 9 makes it clear that this knowledge is powerful in helping us walk out our lives in the Spirit, we don't grumble against one another, because the Judge is at the door! A true and right understanding of the Day of the Lord will keep us in a place of trusting and waiting and living by the Holy Spirit until that great Day.
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