How often have I seen in the world that there are those working in the school system or in society that are teaching others of the right things to do and yet they are not doing them?

“¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

¹³Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.”

— Psalm 51:12-13 (ESV)

I have studied Psalm 51 a number of times and have so much written in the margins, what else is there I can learn. Well, there is more. God’s Word here makes it clear that before I can or should be teaching others, I have to get my own spirit right. I have written in the margin of verse 12: “Time to get right with God and give all over to Him” and “In order for us to understand we need a right willing spirit and only God can give us that”. And then for verse 13 I have: “Spread the Word of God to those around you so they have the opportunity to experience the joy”. Yet, there is no connection here of the two verses.

Over my time of studying God’s Word intentionally for the past seven years, I have indicated that it is important to put all of God’s Word together in context and not just pick and choose what verses and passages apply to the moment. In all of that time I am sure that I have connected the concept of getting ourselves right before leading others to get right. Here I have to listen to my own indications and read and understand the totality of the passage so as to apply it properly in my life. I have to connect the verses.

I am to follow the teachings of Jesus in the Great Commission:

“¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

Here is my task that has been given to me by Jesus and it aligns beautifully with verse 13 above. I am to go and spread the gospel to all that I come in contact with. Yet I also should be willing to get right with God, leave all else behind and fully follow Him in all that I do as mentioned here in Matthew 19:

“²¹Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” — Matthew 19:21 (ESV)

I have to first give up all else and fully follow the LORD and then I will be able to completely fulfill all that He has for me. I have to connect the getting right with God and then I should go and spread the Gospel. I have to be like the leper who was cleansed by Jesus.

“¹⁵Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; ¹⁶and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ ¹⁹And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.’” — Luke 17:15-19 (ESV)

What is your condition as you come to God and going to do His work? Are you right with Him first before you go? What if you first focused on your relationship with God as a sinner and got your heart and spirit right, then go and spread the gospel to all others?