December 13th, 2023
In September of 1780, William Wilberforce won a seat in the British Parliament at the ripe age of 21, due in large part to his friendship with future Prime Minister William Pitt and the large inheritance he received from his grandfather. Though politically gifted, Wilberforce was somewhat of an unserious character at that point, frequenting gambling clubs, playing cards, and gaining a reputation as one of the wittiest young gentlemen in England.
On a long holiday tour of Europe in 1784, Wilberforce discovered anew the evangelical faith. His faith journey over the next few years led him to write in his journal three years later, “God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners [moral values].”[1]
Wilberforce devoted his life and his political career to reform, and particularly the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. His first speech denouncing the slave trade took place in May of 1789. Enduring political victories and devastating setbacks, and interrupted by war with France, Wilberforce finally saw the slave trade abolished in March of 1807.
But this was a hollow victory. Some English ships ignored the new laws, and most other nations refused to follow England’s lead. Worst of all, existing slaves languished in bondage. Wilberforce and his allies continued to work toward the complete emancipation of slaves in the British Empire. In parliament, Wilberforce tirelessly argued for abolition and introduced bill after bill to stop it incrementally. Throughout the country, Thomas Clarkson organized rallies and anti-slavery groups to change public opinion.
In failing health, Wilberforce had to retire from parliament in 1825. Still, the cause he had championed for over forty years had not been realized. Wilberforce’s final speech against slavery was given in April of 1833. Soon after, a bill was introduced in parliament to abolish slavery once and for all. On July 26th, 1833, just three days before he died, Wilberforce was informed that the bill was assured passage. What he had waited for, and worked toward, and prayed for countless times, was finally a reality. Wilberforce, by just a few days, saw the fulfillment of a lifetime of effort.
Wilberforce is an anomaly. Partly because of his extraordinary tenacity and singular focus on the greatest moral ill of his generation. But also because he actually lived to see the fruit of his labor. Most don’t get that opportunity.
The author of Hebrews told his readers that most – in fact, all – didn’t live to see the fulfillment of God’s promise to them. After listing over twenty circumstances where Old Testament saints exhibited model faith, he wrote, “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise” (11:39).
What?! So, they got nothing? (Cue Willy Wonka gif).
No, not exactly. But they did die before receiving the promise. God told them to believe, to wait, to place their trust in Him, and they did. And then they died. But even though their lives ended before the coming of the promise, they passed the test. God commended their faith.[2]
Would we have a different opinion of William Wilberforce if he died one year earlier? Would we discount the outworking of his evangelical faith in the abolitionist movement? Of course not. The timing of the news certainly makes for a neat story, but Wilberforce’s faith speaks for itself.
God looked at the faith of the men and women listed in Hebrews 11 and in summary, he was pleased (see 11:5-6). And even though their small part in the big story came in the first half of the narrative, their faith mattered, and provides an example for all who come after them.
As for today, we have received the promise. Salvation has come to us. The promise – that is, the coming of the Messiah – was fulfilled and now we partake in the benefits. And even as we do, our faith is not altogether unlike those Old Testament saints, because we too look forward to another promise (see John 14:3). And though we may die before that Promise comes, our goal is to hear these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Or we might say, to obtain a good testimony through faith.
[1] See "William Wilberforce - Abolish the slave trade | British Heritage" for more information on Wilberforce's life and legacy.
[2] This seems to be a major theme (perhaps the major theme) of this chapter. Consider again verse 13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
On a long holiday tour of Europe in 1784, Wilberforce discovered anew the evangelical faith. His faith journey over the next few years led him to write in his journal three years later, “God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners [moral values].”[1]
Wilberforce devoted his life and his political career to reform, and particularly the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. His first speech denouncing the slave trade took place in May of 1789. Enduring political victories and devastating setbacks, and interrupted by war with France, Wilberforce finally saw the slave trade abolished in March of 1807.
But this was a hollow victory. Some English ships ignored the new laws, and most other nations refused to follow England’s lead. Worst of all, existing slaves languished in bondage. Wilberforce and his allies continued to work toward the complete emancipation of slaves in the British Empire. In parliament, Wilberforce tirelessly argued for abolition and introduced bill after bill to stop it incrementally. Throughout the country, Thomas Clarkson organized rallies and anti-slavery groups to change public opinion.
In failing health, Wilberforce had to retire from parliament in 1825. Still, the cause he had championed for over forty years had not been realized. Wilberforce’s final speech against slavery was given in April of 1833. Soon after, a bill was introduced in parliament to abolish slavery once and for all. On July 26th, 1833, just three days before he died, Wilberforce was informed that the bill was assured passage. What he had waited for, and worked toward, and prayed for countless times, was finally a reality. Wilberforce, by just a few days, saw the fulfillment of a lifetime of effort.
Wilberforce is an anomaly. Partly because of his extraordinary tenacity and singular focus on the greatest moral ill of his generation. But also because he actually lived to see the fruit of his labor. Most don’t get that opportunity.
The author of Hebrews told his readers that most – in fact, all – didn’t live to see the fulfillment of God’s promise to them. After listing over twenty circumstances where Old Testament saints exhibited model faith, he wrote, “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise” (11:39).
What?! So, they got nothing? (Cue Willy Wonka gif).
No, not exactly. But they did die before receiving the promise. God told them to believe, to wait, to place their trust in Him, and they did. And then they died. But even though their lives ended before the coming of the promise, they passed the test. God commended their faith.[2]
Would we have a different opinion of William Wilberforce if he died one year earlier? Would we discount the outworking of his evangelical faith in the abolitionist movement? Of course not. The timing of the news certainly makes for a neat story, but Wilberforce’s faith speaks for itself.
God looked at the faith of the men and women listed in Hebrews 11 and in summary, he was pleased (see 11:5-6). And even though their small part in the big story came in the first half of the narrative, their faith mattered, and provides an example for all who come after them.
As for today, we have received the promise. Salvation has come to us. The promise – that is, the coming of the Messiah – was fulfilled and now we partake in the benefits. And even as we do, our faith is not altogether unlike those Old Testament saints, because we too look forward to another promise (see John 14:3). And though we may die before that Promise comes, our goal is to hear these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Or we might say, to obtain a good testimony through faith.
[1] See "William Wilberforce - Abolish the slave trade | British Heritage" for more information on Wilberforce's life and legacy.
[2] This seems to be a major theme (perhaps the major theme) of this chapter. Consider again verse 13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
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