Christian Readiness

"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." (II Timothy 2: 21 NIV)

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." (Titus 3: 1, 2 NIV)

These verses, with others like them, deal with the subject of Christian readiness.

The need for readiness or preparedness is taught in every area of life. Children are taught to be ready and prepared, from how to get ready for school each day, to learning how to avoid dangers by learning to "stop, look, and listen." Boy scouts too are taught how to survive in the wild, and to be prepared for good deeds. Soldiers too are taught the importance of readiness, of being properly equipped and trained for battle, of being always "vigilant" and "alert." So too are Christians in need of being properly trained and equipped, properly "prepared" for Christian life and service, to be "prepared to do any good work."

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (I Corinthians 10: 3-6 KJV)

"Readiness" is from the Greek word "prothymia" and means, according to Strong, 1) zeal, spirit, eagerness, 2) inclination, readiness of mind. According to Vine it means:

"eargerness, willingness, readiness" (pro, "forward," thumos, "mind, disposition," akin to prothumos, READY, A, No. 2), is translated "readiness of mind" in Act 17:11, "readiness" in 2 Cr 8:11; in 2 Cr 8:12, RV (AV, "a willing mind"); in 2 Cr 8:19, RV "(our) readiness," AV, "(your) ready mind;" in 2 Cr 9:2, RV, "readiness" (AV, "forwardness of ... mind." (Vine)

In the above teaching of Paul, the Christian is viewed as a soldier in the army of the Lord. As such he is in need of being prepared, of being trained and inspired, of being equipped in mind, body, and spirit. They are taught the need for being brave, and fearless, and loyal to Christ, as they battle and wage spiritual war. The Christian should always be ready to do battle with evil, just one of the good works he is called to engage in. (See Ephesians 6)

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17: 11 KJV)

"Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." (II Corinthians 8: 11, 12 KJV)

In all the passages thus far cited, the term "readiness" applies first and foremost to the mindset of the Christian, to his purpose for living and doing. It speaks to his "eagerness" and the "willingness" of his heart, mind, and soul to do the will of the Lord. All meaningful service to God begins with a firm conviction and resolution for the service or work. It starts with a dedication of heart and mind. It is of the highest priority that sergeants in "boot camp" prepare and ready the minds of the "enlistees." The preparation of the body will not avail much unless the mind is first prepared.

In the above verses the emphasis is on properly preparing the Christian so that he develops a "readiness of mind" to receive the truth of the bible, as the nobel Berean Christians, and to be "ready" and "prepared" to "do every good deed," and to be capable and trained as "good soldiers of Jesus Christ."

Paul commends the preparedness of the Corinthian Christians in regard to a specific good work, the good work of Christian giving and support of the spreading of the gospel. These Christians had a zeal and eagerness, a readiness of mind to help other saints in need, and to help the gospel ministry. Paul often bragged on them for this readiness, saying:

"There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action." (II Corinthians 9: 1, 2 NIV)

Once the disciple has been readied in heart and mind for service, he will be ready for further preparation in every other way. Once he has been taught theory, he will then be ready to learn by actual practice and experience.

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4: 11-13 NIV)

Once one becomes a disciple of Christ, and has gone through his spiritual "boot camp," he will be called to the work of discipling others. As he was himself "prepared for every service," so too will he help prepare others as he was prepared. Oh how too many Christians are not being properly "prepared for every good work"!

"Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them." (Jeremiah 1: 17 NIV)

There are lots of commands in scripture for different ones to "get ready," to become "prepared." The above were words God spoke to Jeremiah respecting his ministry of reporting the words of God to sinners. It was a word of warning as well as exhortation. God was telling Jeremiah to prepare himself for this work. One of the ways to do this was to prepare his mind, to fortify his spirit for the anticipated work, work that was difficult and dangerous and that required courage and faith.

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut." (Matthew 25: 10 NIV)

"It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into." (Luke 12: 38, 39 NIV)

Some will not be ready nor prepared for the coming of Christ and of the day of judgment that will follow it. They will be caught unawares, by surprise, and will find that their "houses" are "broken up" and they robbed of everything.

"Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel." (Amos 4: 12 NIV)

How do men prepare to meet God in judgment? They do it by coming by faith to Christ and trusting in his righteousness alone for salvation. It is by repenting of sin and by living the life of a disciple of Jesus.

"And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1: 17 NIV)

Notice the duel preparation in the above words. Often there are various stages or steps in the preparation of disciples. They are first trained in heart and spirit, and in the word of God, and then they enter into higher forms of training and preparation. John the Baptist would prepare ones who had already been prepared by the Lord. Paul spoke too of one minister who plants the seed of the gospel and another who waters the seed planted. Both are works of preparation, but one precedes the other.

"But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." (Luke 22: 33, 34 NIV)

Sometimes we think we are "prepared" when we are not. Peter thought he was "ready" to suffer and die for the Lord. He thought he was mentally prepared in mind and spirit. But, he was wrong. Christ knew better. He knew Peter was not yet fully prepared. We must be careful to make sure we are "ready" before we go out to battle and do for the Lord. We need the counsel of others to help us discern whether we are truly ready or not.

"I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." (I Corinthians 3: 2 NIV)

Again, this shows stages in the preparation work of disciples. When sinners are born again and receive new life, they are hungry for the milk of the word, and are able and ready to receive it. But, they need further preparation and readiness training. They need to be prepared to eat solid food, and to become those who are "skilled in the word of righteousness." The milk and meat of the word is an integral part of the training and preparation of disciples.

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." (II Timothy 4: 2 NIV)

Be always prepared! Whatever the condition, do not lose vigilance and readiness! Stayed trained! Stay healthy!

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." (I Peter 1: 13 NIV)

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (I Peter 3: 15 NIV)

"Prepare your minds and hearts for action"! Oh what needed preparation is there for disciples today in this regard! How few are prepared to defend the gospel, and to give an intelligent and scriptural answer to those who want to know why they have become Christians! Be prepared to tell others about Jesus!