Peter said, “Lord I am ready to go with thee, both into prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). Peter, though, was not ready; he just thought he was. He later denied the Lord (Luke 22:55-62).
We should follow Jesus for He is our example (1 Peter 2:21). Following him necessitates self-denial (Matthew 16:24), but even a dog will follow his master. Following Jesus is like a sailor sailing under sealed orders. The question of obedience has been settled before the orders are read.
“Be ye ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). It takes study to do this (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:13). It also takes the right disposition of heart to do it in the manner commanded. One might win a discussion and lose a soul. Let us win the soul as well as the discussion. “He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).
Paul said, “I am ready to preach the Gospel” (Romans 1:15). Why? He believed it to be “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). He was not ashamed of the Gospel. He recognized that he was a debtor (Romans 1:14). Those same reasons will motivate us to preach the Gospel, “that they be ready to distribute” (1 Timothy 6:18). Sharing with others is a Christian principle of life; God shared His Son with us. This indicates unselfishness and kindness. It was a mark of the early church (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35).
A religion without a heart is worthless! We should be ready to every good work (Titus 3:1). Be ready to do it yourself; do not wish it off on someone else. Works are the fruit of faith, for we show our faith by our works (James 2:18). This kind of religion is known by its fruits (Luke 6:44). Paul said, “I am ready to die for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). This statement was correct, for later he did die for Jesus. Just prior to his death, he wrote some very dramatic words which are found in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Does the Lord mean that much to us? We have not been called upon to die for Him, but we are asked to live for Him (Romans 12:1).
Jesus commanded for us to be ready for His return (Matthew 24:42-44). The tragedy of the foolish virgins was that they were not ready to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13). To be ready, one must be in the kingdom and make preparations as did the wise virgins. This preparation did not come accidentally. One must make it on purpose.
In conclusion, victories are won by being ready. An old Greek officer counseled the generals on the eve of an engagement: “The secret of the victory is getting a good ready.” In keeping with this, we need the day before preparation that we may be ready.
