Wilberforce on True Christians
Ancient Paths
As a writer for the Colson Center, I wrote a one-week devotional each month based on the writings of Christians who lived long ago. The idea comes from the words of Jeremiah that believers are to “ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it…” (6:16).
William Wilberforce (1759-1833), A Practical View of Christianity [1]
Servile, and base, and mercenary, is the notion of Christian practice among the bulk of nominal Christians. They give no more than they dare not withhold; they abstain from nothing but what they must not practice [and] ... they know Christianity only as a system of restraints. She is despoiled of every liberal and generous principle: she is rendered almost unfit for the social intercourses of life, and is only suited to the gloomy walls of that cloister, in which they would confine her. But true Christians consider themselves not as satisfying some rigorous creditor, but as discharging a debt of gratitude. Theirs is accordingly not the stinted return of a constrained obedience, but the large and liberal measure of a voluntary service.
Monday: Exodus 20:1-17
Wilberforce complains about Christians who see Christianity as a "system of restraints." Read through the Ten Commandments, rewriting the negative ones as positive commands. For instance, "You shall not commit adultery" becomes "You shall be faithful to your spouse." How might this exercise help you see that God gives us rules to make our lives better, not to ruin our fun? How can we convince that "bulk of nominal Christians" -- as Wilberforce describes them -- that God's law is not a "system of restraints," but a pathway to freedom and joy? What painful situations do we avoid -- and what blessings do we enjoy -- by staying within the guardrails of His law?
Tuesday: Numbers 10:10, 1 Chronicles 29:13-22, Psalm 30
Despite the fact that he lived with severe chronic pain, Wilberforce was known for his joyful disposition. Not surprisingly, he seems to have little patience with "gloomy" Christians. Each of these passages mentions how God's people were filled with gladness. Is this a word you associate with being a Christian? Does it characterize the Christians you know? Does it describe the way people in your church worship? If not, what's the problem? Where does gladness come from?
Wednesday: Psalm 100, Psalm 136, Psalm 145
One reason for believers to be glad is because of the Lord's "steadfast love." What specific blessings does the psalmist mention, blessings that spur his praise for God's steadfast love? What would you add to the list?
Thursday: Psalm 112, Acts 10:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Wilberforce believed that the "true Christian" manifests a "large and liberal measure of a voluntary service." In other words, they are generous -- as he was -- with their time, treasure, and talents (Wilberforce was a member of 69 charitable organizations.) Our God is a gracious and generous God; and He loves for His children to reflect those qualities as well. What is the link between a grateful spirit, generosity, and a "liberal" desire to be of service to others? In your experience, how generous -- and servant minded -- are ungrateful people?
Friday: Acts 2
Imagine that you were in the crowd in Jerusalem on the day the Holy Spirit was poured out and the day when Peter told the story of Jesus. At first, Peter's words cut to the heart of his listeners (vs 37). But what turned their pain into gladness? How did becoming Christians affect how they lived? Why do you think that our Christian communities so often lack this type of generosity and joy? What might we do to re-kindle it in our own fellowships?
Saturday: Matthew 20:20-28, Luke 12:35-37, Galatians 5:13
The Lord Jesus Christ came down from heaven with a servant's heart and a mission: to seek and save the lost. Now, it is the responsibility of every Christian to manifest that servant's heart to others. Think about a time when you had an opportunity to serve someone who could not repay you for your kindness -- just as we cannot repay Jesus for His kindness to us. Did that give you joy? Did the experience spur you on to greater acts of service? When service opportunities arise in your church, how eager are you to volunteer? Do you do so grudgingly or gladly?
Sunday: 1 Corinthians 15:3-11, Ephesians 3:1-13, 1 Timothy 1:12-16
Wilberforce writes that "true Christians consider themselves not as satisfying some rigorous creditor, but as discharging a debt of gratitude." How do we see this attitude reflected in the life of the apostle Paul? How can our appreciation for grace fill us with gladness and, therefore, inspire us to be more generous with our time, talents, and treasures? How does fixing our eyes on Jesus, and His grace to us, change our sense of self? (Hint: Paul's opinion of himself degraded over time -- from the "least of the apostles," to the "least of the saints," to the chief of sinners. As we grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, shouldn't the same be true for us?)
Lesson from the Week: Wilberforce's criticism of the gloomy Christians of his day should lead us to a time of self-examination: Am I a Christian whose joylessness makes Christ unappealing to others, or am I a Christian whose radiant gladness draws them nearer to Him (1 Peter 3:15)? Am I a Christian who offers excuses for why I can't serve others in my community or church, or someone who looks for opportunities to help? Am I a Christian who hoards God's blessings to myself, or who lavishly gives them away to others?
Wilberforce knew the joy of being a Christian with a "large and liberal" heart for God and others. If that's not how you would describe yourself, will you let 2025 be the beginning of such a transformation?
[1] from 365 Days with Wilberforce (April 5th). Ed. Kevin Belmonte. United Kingdom: Day One Publications, 2006. Print.