September 14

CHRIST the LIBERATOR: “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (Jn 8:36). William Wilberforce (1759–1833) as a young man of privilege, toured Europe. In the luggage of a traveling companion he saw a copy of William Law’s book, A Serious Call To a Devout and Holy Life. God used it to stir him to seek the Lord. The converted Wilberforce now felt his calling was to serve God through politics. He is best known today for his untiring commitment to the abolition of slavery. He introduced his first anti-slavery motion in the British House of Commons in 1788. The motion was defeated. Wilberforce brought it up again every year for eighteen years, until the British slave trade was finally abolished on Mar 25, 1806. But it wasn’t until a year after his death, on Jul 31, 1834, that 800,000 slaves, chiefly in the British West Indies, were set free. We have the privilege today to proclaim freedom in Christ, for by knowing the truth, “the truth shall make you free” (v 32).

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