William Wilberforce was a wealthy and gifted young man who decided to run for elections as a member of the House of Commons. Because he was so well known in his district, he had no problem being elected - and reelected many times. Yet as his political career continued to climb, a series of events led to what he termed "the Great Change." In travels across Europe with a friend, he came to accept the grace of Jesus Christ, achieving a settled conviction in his mind of the truth of Christianity.
Within months, Wilberforce found himself troubled by the implications his conversion carried with it. He knew such beliefs required one to act upon them, not merely give vague intellectual assent. It even led to his consideration leaving the Parliament to enter a life of solitude. This possibility led to a series of conversations with his closest friend William Pitt and his boyhood preacher, John Newton. In their own ways, each encouraged Wilberforce to view public life as the place where he might do all the good possible in service to Christ.
Wilberforce chose to "remain where Providence placed me". His decision to fulfill the calling of God to "love thy neighbor as thyself" by using his influence in the Parliament.
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