With the fine movie on the life of William Wilberforce (Amazing Grace) in theaters, it seems good to share one of his convictions here. It comes from Wilberforce’s book, A Practical View of Christianity (published in 1797).
No man has a right to be idle. Where is it, that in such a world as this, health, and leisure, and affluence many not find some ignorance to instruct, some wrong to redress, some want [lack] to supply, some misery to alleviate?
Good question. Got an answer?
It is interesting to see that when the original 12 disciples (the Apostles) were sent out, they “preached that people should repent” (Mark 6:12). This is not at all surprising, given the first sermon of Jesus recorded in Mark 1:15 —
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the good news.”
But is this what most American preachers, including evangelicals, preach? Where is the cry, repent! in today’s preaching? If a preacher never calls for repentance, I doubt that he has been sent by Jesus.
