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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
William Wilberforce was a remarkable man, considered by many to be one of the greatest social reformers in history. He was elected to the English Parliament at the very young age of 21, found real Christianity, in part, through an association with John Newton and went on to dedicate himself to seeing slavery abolished throughout England. He was ultimately successful, serving his nation for nearly 45 years, retiring in February of 1825 due to poor health; learning three days before he died that Parliament was finally ready to pass legislation securing the emancipation of slaves throughout the entire British Empire. Equally active in numerous philanthropic endeavors, he pursued religious as well as political reform of all kinds; leading or being a member of at least 69 different benevolent societies. All this in an attempt to live a genuine life in Christ, leading his fellow Englishmen, by example, away from a culturally accepted form of religion heavily influenced by Christian principles – or what he called cultural Christianity – to a passion for Christ and real Christianity.
His book, known by the title Real Christianity, was first published in 1797. Realizing the powerful eloquence of the original publication, Bob Beltz recently revised and updated this classic call to genuine faith, passionate praise and legitimate lifestyle. It is as relevant to the quest for authenticity today as it was in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. Throughout can be heard James’ admonition to, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”! James 1:22
At one significant point he writes: “I have already addressed my observations on what might be called the general faulty thinking of the majority of professed Christians in our day. My focus was on the misunderstanding or rejection of the way Christ makes it possible for us to have a relationship with God and on the transformation of the inner person that accompanies such a relationship.”
“But if that is the primary problem with the state of faith in our country, there is a second that follows immediately behind. This is a problem that doesn’t afflict cultural Christians who do not possess what I have called authentic faith. This is a problem that is particularly problematic for those who legitimately have received Christ and believe all that the Bible teaches. Their belief system is intact, but their lives do not bear the evidence that they have actually had a real encounter with Christ. They regard their faith as something that has been taken care of and then proceed to live as if Christ were not really their Lord. True Christian grace has become cheap grace. They have affirmed and repented from sin. They have some level of desire for holiness. But they take the path of least resistance in their approach to Christian living. They neglect a vigilant and zealous pursuit of God’s will for their lives. They practice some resistance to sin and exercise some measure of discipline in dealing with the flaws of their character that God desires to change. But their approach to spiritual growth is not serious.”
“This problem is not only an issue for the men or women who have embraced Christianity. Sometimes it is the product of inadequate preaching by their pastors. These men and women are not cautioned from the pulpit of the dangers of this kind of approach to faith, and they are not taught what to do to strive against vice and cultivate virtue. So what you see in too many men and women is a genuine profession of belief in Jesus Christ and all he has done but little progress in authentic Christian living. They have become Christians without the slightest change in the way they use their time, talents or resources.”
“These men and women seem to have no ability to resist temptation when it comes. As if this isn’t enough of a problem, at times they will act out a charade about what poor examples they are of the Christian faith. They display pseudo-humility and are proud of it! They put out this message with the hope that the response they receive will affirm just the opposite. They wear a false mask of sorrow for their sin. Often, this kind of behavior masks a secret self-complacency. If you think I am being too harsh, take a good look at your own heart and see how often your humility and penitence flow from false and ego-centered motives. Too often the things we confess are far from the things that are the true deep sins in our lives. We are each like a murderer who confesses to an occasional problem with anger.”
“Let me warn those who are in this position. You are in danger of deceiving yourselves. Beware that you do not become nominal Christians of another sort. There are no short cuts to authentic spirituality. It takes all we have to give and is the main task to which we are called. We are instructed to grow in grace and add virtue to virtue. We are to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit living in us and through us. When these qualities are lacking in a person’s life, it might be worth it for that person to take a hard look at whether there has really been a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. In other words, maybe that person is not a Christian at all. It is not comfortable to address these issues, but what is the world to think when those who claim to know Christ have no different attitude toward the pursuit of wealth or ambition, or have the same desire for ostentation, that is found among the majority of humanity? They become stumbling blocks for those who look to them as examples and come to the conclusion that Christianity is a sham. If you are serious about being a follower of Jesus Christ, keep a close watch over your behavior and your heart. Strive to learn how to overcome the obstacles you tackle on your way to spiritual maturity. Learn from those who have successfully gone before you. Read good books by men and women who have lived the faith they profess. Seek to learn the way they utilized the resources God has provided to win the battle. Study your own life. Learn where you are vulnerable. The lessons you learn about the human heart – particularly your own – will serve you well. Those lessons will help you avoid opportunities to do the wrong thing and will create true humility in your life. Careful observation and study will help produce the kind of attitude and spiritual sensitivity that is essential for you to become the person God designed you to be. It is a task that requires great diligence, but only this kind of effort will succeed. When you do, God will be glorified and you will be blessed.”
Scriptural principles reverberated throughout Wilberforce’s life and writings, finding expression in the answer to Jesus’ question, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good deeds, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” Not a man-made form of wisdom but one derived from heaven that is pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, merciful and productive in “good fruit”, impartial and sincere. James 3:13 & 17 A life patterned on such will be impressive, effective and productive both in the temporal and spiritual worlds, as was William Wilberforce.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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