A friend came across a sermon which declared John the Baptist came to promote social justice. Oh dear, God wouldn't have been pleased that the arrival of his Son, the saviour of the world, was sidelined by the belief that good works were more important. Listen to this to hear John's true commission from God.

"Hebrews challenges Jesus followers to remain faithful to him as the one who is the ultimate revelation of God's love and mercy."

[Picture and caption from BibleProject.com]

...and chance the consequences."  Who'd have thought a fictional pirate king in a comic opera (Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance) would give such scripturally based advice! Perhaps "trust" would have been a better word - but otherwise, these are words God would approve.

• Talk to God
• Talk to God about your stress
• Trust God with your stress

It was two decades in management consulting that gave me the judgemental outlook on life that I have. I was paid to find problems in business organisation and systems, rather than complimenting things that were working well. And that I now apply judgement wholesale to people I know and businesses I deal with. Not always the best approach if making new friendships and retaining old is a priority!

There are words in the Bible which tell us not to judge. One's that a vicar I know is never hesitant to quote when I'm critical of him or his church.

But the Bible does not mean that we shouldn't show discernment. Speak out against sin... Here's a good post to clarify things...

"O GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant, that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen."

They are words which form part of the collect (a prayer for the day) for the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity (the first Sunday after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given to believers).

I remember hearing these words said many times school morning assembly. It's only recently that their significance  has dawned.

Never was the priority of faith over and above works put so clearly. And the importance of having the Holy Spirit ruling our hearts.