Servile, and base, and mercenary, is the notion of Christian practice among the bulk of nominal Christians. They give no more than they dare not with-hold; they abstain from nothing but what they must not practise.

William Wilberforce
About This Quote

The idea of being “servile” or “base” or “mercenary,” in Christian terms, is to be a person who gives their attention to the world and its material needs while neglecting their spiritual needs. The word "servile" refers to "being forced" or "bonded by law" and suggests that one is not free. The word "base" is a combination of "basis" and "ground," and it means to be of no use. If we use the term "Christian practice," we can see that it means to be practicing Christianity as one's life and circumstances dictate, rather than just following rules and regulations that someone else puts out for us.

Source: Real Christianity

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