God calls us to a life of righteousness, which is obtained through salvation. In salvation, we receive knowledge and grace, and possess the righteousness of God. This shows that salvation and righteousness are inseparable in the life of God’s child. As sinners turn away from sin and genuinely believe in the Lord, righteousness becomes evident in their lives. The experience of salvation empowers them with strength and grace to live righteously through faith and not by self-righteousness. But when a new convert lacks this evidence, itbehoves us to help him/her to re-examine their profession and lead them to confess and forsake his/her sins and believe on the Lord Jesus for genuine salvation.

Salvation brings a new way of life, character, behaviour, strength and focus. If we profess salvation, we will no longer yield to sin; we will become “servants of righteousness,” free from “the law of sin and death.”Christ does not condone sin; rather, He condemns and cleanses it wherever it is found. As we put off “the old man” and put on “the new man” created in righteousness and true holiness, we manifest practical righteousness as children of God. Therefore, whoever does not practise righteousness “is not of God” and there is no proof of salvation in such a person. He does not have freedom from sin.

God takes His rightful place as Ruler and Redeemer, and we promote His reign in our lives when we receive salvation. He conquers everything that previously separated us from Him and reigns supreme. Consequently, the world, sin and tradition no longer “have dominion over us.” AlthoughGod may use humans as instruments to bring us to salvation, we must not surrender the control of our lives to anyone, but the Lord. Gideon acknowledged this truth by saying, “the Lord shall rule over you,” when the children of Israel erred by asking him to be their monarch instead of allowing God to reign over them.

Similarly, some religious people submit to their leaders rather than God. They feign to submit to God only when under public examination. But “no man can serve two masters;”We must make up our minds about who reigns in our lives. Therefore, if we profess to be saved, we must allow God to reign in our lives without a rival as He does in heaven. This will, in turn, bring blessings to us from the Lord. As representatives of Christ, wherever we find ourselves, we must promote the doctrine of righteousness and preach the gospel of salvation, declaring Christ’s reign and His exaltation that sets men free from sin.

• Further reading (King James Version): Psalm 51:12,13; Luke 1:76-79; Mark 16:15,16. Romans 10:9,10; Isaiah 45:8,22; 61:10; Romans 10:13; Psalm 71:15; 24:3-5; Romans 6:13-18; 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 4:21-24; Philippians 3:9; 1 John 3:4-10. Isaiah 52:7; 26:13; Judges 8:22,23; 1 Samuel 8:7; Psalm 19:7-13; 119:133; Romans 6:11,12; James 4:7; Matthew 6:24; Luke 4:8; Matthew 6:10; Psalm 103:19-22.