Living Well

The Chief Executive of Sainsbury's was talking about their slogan - Live well for less - which is part of their response to the difficult times we all face. The Prime Minister will try to give a rallying call today to the nation (and his party) as we face tough times. he will tell us all to cut our debts, and learn to live responsibly!
Over the years, by contrast, we were encouraged to borrow  and spend (so that the banks could get rich at our expense!). Now we are told that we have to swallow the medicine that tries to address the disease of our own greed.
St. Paul has a different remedy to our greed and different recipe for living well. 'Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.' (Ephesians 4.21-24)
Paul describes someone changing their clothes - throw off your old nature and put on your new nature - which would have been symbolised in the way baptisms were carried out in those days. The newly baptised would emerge from the water and be given a new white robe or towel, marking the spiritual change that coming to Jesus had brought about.
Merely telling us that we should be living better doesn't help us. But with God's Spirit teaching us and giving us new thoughts and attitudes can help us to show our God-given new nature in living well. What a powerful message this is! I am asking the Lord to help me to live like this today.
Best wishes,
Richard