Christians often lament the way in which Britain no longer seems to be a Christian country, and is letting go of its Christian heritage. This may well be true, but it is also not the first time such laments have been heard.
William Wilberforce, a former MP for Yorkshire, is perhaps most famous for his indefatigable role in bringing to an end the slave trade. After he was elected as an MP in 1784 he became a Christian in 1785. This brought a complete transformation in his life – he had been mainly interested in having fun and high living, but his conversion awakened him to other concerns such as poor working conditions, immorality and inequalities. He famously called for a “Reformation of manners”, and explored a whole variety of ways to do this.Ultimately Wilberforce realised that whilst the State had a role in restraining evil, it was not very good at promoting good. He knew that a reformation of manners would only truly come about as people turned to Christ.
In these coming weeks as we look at the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer and in the church, we are reminded again and again that it is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that changes us from self-centred people to people, filled with the Spirit, who consider the needs of others before our own. This is the reformation that we need, and the reformation that society needs.
We cannot make it more Christian by legislation or censorship, the only way to make it more Christian is to introduce more people to Christ, and the life-changing work of the Holy Spirit.
God bless,
