Power To Keep The Law That’s Given

Ludwig Nommensen, a pioneer missionary to the Batak tribesmen, was told that he could stay for two years, during which time he studied the customs and traditions that ruled the people. At the end of that time the chief asked him if there was anything in the Christian religion that differed from the traditions of the Batak. “We, too, have laws that say we must not steal, nor take our neighbor’s wife, nor bear false witness,” the chief said.

The missionary answered quietly, “My Master gives the power to keep His laws.” The chief was startled. “Can you teach my people that?” he asked. “No, I cannot, but God can give them that power if they ask for it and listen to His Word.”

The missionary was permitted to stay another six months, during which time he taught just one thing—the power of God. At the end of that time, the chief said, “Stay; your law is better than ours. Ours tells us what we ought to do. Your God says. “Come, I will walk with you and give you strength to do the good thing.” ”

There are now about 450,000 Batak Christians, with their own independent church organizations.
~ Commission