A Cure for the Witch Doctor
Some years ago, in a Central African village, there lived a man whose "profession" made him the most feared person in the district. The very appearance of his dwelling place was enough to strike terror into the bravest heart, for human skulls adorned the mud walls of his hut.
Kankwali, for such was his name, was the great witch doctor, and so much was he held in awe, that all were at great pains to remain in his favor. An important and influential personage, this man with his supposed wisdom and understanding, literally ruled in the village. His verdict concerning the cause of any death was accepted as infallible, while his advice was generally acted upon with implicit faith. Such action would frequently lead to much suffering or even death to the supposed guilty person, who, in Kankwali's reckoning, had brought misfortune to the community by incurring the displeasure of evil spirits.
One day, however, something happened which had never been known in the village before. It was the arrival of the Basangu, or white people. Kankwali viewed this new situation with mixed feelings. The white people commenced a school for the young children, who readily attended. Curiosity eventually prompted the witch doctor to interrogate the youngsters on what these strangers taught at school. In very childlike language the curly-headed black boys and girls repeated the story told them.
Their simple report revealed that they had learned of the love of God to everyone in the village, and indeed throughout the whole world. It told of the fact that God, knowing of the sinful state of all men, sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, down to earth, where He died for our sins. And, more wonderful still, that He, being raised from the dead, now lives to save and will forgive us our sins, seeing that His shed blood is accepted by God as a perfect sacrifice, atoning for sin. God's free gift to men, they told Kankwali, was everlasting life, and also the present power to live good lives, overcoming daily the sinful temptations that beset us.
Kankwali's Queries
This certainly was news for the cruel witch doctor. Did God really have a personal interest in him? Did God really love him? Could God forgive him? Would God receive him? These were the questions that crowded Kankwali's mind, and such questions are not at all singular to an African witch doctor, but may well also be asked by ourselves, of whatever class, age or nationality we may be. The answer to them all is at once explicable and understandable: "Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13).
The New Kankwali
Kankwali realized God's wonderful love, and received salvation through believing. The Lord Jesus Christ became to him the one and only Lord of his life. It meant serving a new master, for practicing evil and following Christ in everyday life were incompatible, and one or the other had to go. Witchcraft and its attendant evils were renounced and forsaken. He became a new man with a desire to live for his Lord.
This all happened years. ago. The writer has lived in Central Africa for a number of years, and knew Kankwali personally. That he became a different man is beyond question. He continued to plant his garden, and to fish from his canoe on the great Luapula River in order to earn his living, but his outlook and desires were completely altered. His life was changed, he became a real Christian, following Christ, and living for Christ. In place of the wicked advice he formerly dispensed, he began to tell people of the Savior.
When God forgives a man, He also changes the man, giving power to overcome sin, and giving full assurance of eternal life.
THERE is life in a look at the crucified
One;
There is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved—
Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.