Two brave missionaries were traveling in Africa through a part of the country belonging to a fierce headhunting tribe. They had had a hard day crossing rivers and valleys and climbing mountains. There was no footpath and they had to cut their way through the tangle of jungle. At nightfall they came near to a village, and pitching their tent some distance from the native huts, they soon fell asleep.
Suddenly in the darkness they were awakened by the sound of a soft footstep. Someone—friend or foe?—had discovered their presence, and was stealthily approaching. For what purpose? Would tomorrow’s sun see two white men’s heads being carried as trophies through the village?
They could only lie still and ask God for His protection as the steps drew nearer. Then the flap of the tent moved and a voice whispered, “Have you got a gun?”
No, they did not have a gun—they were missionaries, servants of Christ, armed only with the sword of the Spirit. They thought, “Had we better pretend we have a gun and frighten the strange visitor away? No, that would be telling a lie. As followers of Jesus we must speak the truth even though it cost us our lives. How could we preach the truth of the gospel to these people if we start by deceiving them?”
“No, my friend,” one of them said aloud, “We have no gun. We have not come to harm you but to bring you the good news of salvation, to tell you about Jesus who died for sinful men everywhere.”
By this time the Lushai tribesman had drawn back the flap of the tent letting the bright moonlight stream in. They asked him to come in and tell them why he was walking about in the night.
He came in, but he would not believe that the white men had no gun until he had searched every inch of their tent. “All white men carry guns,” he said. At last, unable to find any, he went quietly away, leaving the two men to sleep.
The next day when the missionaries entered the village, they heard the reason why they were disturbed during the night. A deer had gone into the village, and the people wanted to shoot it and have a feast. Not long before, however, the government had taken away all their guns because of their dangerous head-hunting raids. Now they could not even shoot a deer.
They were amazed that two white men should come to Lushai without guns. It was a brave thing to do, but the messengers of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Saviour of the world, won the admiration of the hillmen of Lushai, and many of them were brought to the Lord. Now instead of head-hunting, they have a peace which only the followers of Christ can have, for “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1).
The Lushais thank God still for sending two brave soldiers of His who carried no gun, and they themselves find the sword of the Spirit their best weapon of warfare and defense.
ML-04/17/1977