The extract from Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians set  this morning is entitled in my Bible; ‘Rules for the new life’ and good words they are too. For life is never straight forward and sometimes we can leave things unsaid or undone that we would have been better off sorting out before the sun set on the day. It can be all too easy not to put things right as soon as possible and that can lead quite easily to estrangement or malice; neither of which are healthy. Paul tells the Ephesians, and it applies equally to all of us too, that we should always:

• Speak the truth at all times
• Try not to be malicious when angry
• To be honest in what you say
• To share what you have
• To hold your tongues and to think before speaking
• To be kind and compassionate
• To be ready and willing to forgive

These rules Paul suggests are the hallmarks of living a life based on the doctrine of living in the love of God. I wholeheartedly agree with Paul’s words and I suspect it is based on his own experience. Having a few rules or guidelines in one’s life is a good way of trying to love a good life and a life that is not selfish or hedonistic. Let his words seep into your being and refer to them every so often to remind yourself that we Christians are called to live a life based on love - the love of God.