The apostle Paul told Titus to "remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed" (Titus 3:1). There are several reasons why you and I need to be ready for every good deed.

1. There is a shortage both of good works and of people who do them. There are plenty of people doing bad things. This world has been characterized by sin and evil since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. There is always a need for good people who will do good deeds. If we do not perform the good works God has prepared for us to do (Eph. 2:10), who will?

2. If we aren't ready, we won't see the opportunities to do good works. How many times have opportunities passed us by because we weren't prepared? Some people excuse their lack of involvement by saying, "I don't know how," or, "I never have the opportunity." The opportunities exist, we just have to find them. Paul asked the Colossians to pray "for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned" (Col. 4:3).

3. Readiness is a state of mind. Christians are to live in a watchful, alert state. Jesus said, "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will" (Matt. 24:42-44). We are to be on the alert always, not only for the Lord's return, but also for opportunities to do good.

Are you and I ready for every good deed?