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THE WILBERFORCE WAY (1)
'...through love serve one another.' Galatians 5:13
One man decided to live his life by the words of today's verse from Galatians. William Wilberforce was born in 1759 in Hull, the son of a wealthy merchant. After studying at Cambridge, Wilberforce became a member of parliament. But it was meeting John Newton that changed his life. Before he became a Christian, Newton captained a slave ship; but God convicted him of the horrors of slavery. He turned his life around, becoming a preacher and hymn writer. In fact, he wrote one of the most famous hymns of all time, 'Amazing Grace'. Meeting John Newton had a massive influence on Wilberforce. In 1787, Wilberforce initiated a campaign to make Great Britain aware of the atrocities of slavery and vote for its abolition. It was a fierce fight, and hard work.
Politicians, industrialists, even religious leaders who had their own slaves opposed him. But William Wilberforce never gave up, always aware that the lives of millions of people were at stake. Twenty-six years later, near the end of Wilberforce's life, slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire. 'So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up' (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
What now? One man decided to take up the challenge in today's verse. The outcome? He changed history! You could arrange to rent out or download the recent film 'Amazing Grace' and watch it with some friends - while you watch, keep in mind how this verse underpinned Wilberforce's actions and life.
written by Bob Gass
'...through love serve one another.' Galatians 5:13
One man decided to live his life by the words of today's verse from Galatians. William Wilberforce was born in 1759 in Hull, the son of a wealthy merchant. After studying at Cambridge, Wilberforce became a member of parliament. But it was meeting John Newton that changed his life. Before he became a Christian, Newton captained a slave ship; but God convicted him of the horrors of slavery. He turned his life around, becoming a preacher and hymn writer. In fact, he wrote one of the most famous hymns of all time, 'Amazing Grace'. Meeting John Newton had a massive influence on Wilberforce. In 1787, Wilberforce initiated a campaign to make Great Britain aware of the atrocities of slavery and vote for its abolition. It was a fierce fight, and hard work.
Politicians, industrialists, even religious leaders who had their own slaves opposed him. But William Wilberforce never gave up, always aware that the lives of millions of people were at stake. Twenty-six years later, near the end of Wilberforce's life, slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire. 'So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up' (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
What now? One man decided to take up the challenge in today's verse. The outcome? He changed history! You could arrange to rent out or download the recent film 'Amazing Grace' and watch it with some friends - while you watch, keep in mind how this verse underpinned Wilberforce's actions and life.
written by Bob Gass
