Thirtieth Mountain Peak

"Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying. The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, fie hold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and lake hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest." Isaiah 56:3-9

ALL CLASSES of people with any handicaps are welcomed into the house of God. We read in v. 3 that even eunuchs can enter into God's house. In the olden days they were not even allowed into the Jewish temple. Similarly the Amorites and the Amalekites could not enter into the Jewish temple. But God says in this passage that everybody will be there (vs. 3, 57). It does not matter who you are, or what may be your shortcomings and failures or handicaps, you may come from any country, from any family or any walk of life, whether illiterate or literate, rich or poor, civilised or uncivilised; all with no exception, will be welcomed into the house of God. They can have the same privilege of sins forgiven and can become the members in the house of God. To be in the house of God is important. But it is not meant for those who have not "joined themselves to the Lord", (v. 5) Even though there may be handicaps because of past sins, and one is ruined completely with the habit of sin, yet he can be transformed, and can enter the House of God and become useful.

We read about Onesimus who became so useful to Paul (Philemon 10 and 13). Paul was staying in the house of Philemon and that boy Onesimus was a servant there. Evidently, Onesimus robbed a large amount of money, or something very valuable, because he left their home with his loot, for Rome, which was far away from that place, and he needed a large amount of money to go to Rome. At that time Paul was in the prison for the sake of the Gospel in Rome and was living in a hired house. When Onesimus had spent all the money he had robbed from his master he thought of Paul the apostle. This happens to many young people they rob then-parents, run away from home and after spending the money, return home having no place or home to go to. When Onesimus was in Philemon's house he was well dressed, but now he was poorly clad with torn shoes. So in this state, he went to Paul, and said to him: "Sir. have mercy upon me and use me as a servant," Paul agreed and in a short time he was born again through Paul. Through many hardships and troubles he was born again like many people, who, when they are in trouble and difficulties, go to the Lord.

Onesimus' heart was softened, when he was born again. He began to look after Paul as a servant, cooking his food, washing his clothes and while so doing he received the Word of God though Paul in a short time, and was wonderfully transformed. God's word began to work in him, like the little seed which springs up into a large tree. He had wonderful understanding in the Word of God. At that time Paul was writing his epistles to Ephesians and Colossians and he wanted someone to take an epistle or letter to Philemon. In these two wonderful books only are the mysteries of salvation mentioned. There were no books of commentary in those days. Paul had only two men, who were properly trained by him. One was his cousin and the other was Onesimus. These were the only two, who understood all the teachings in the epistles, so Paul had a purpose in sending Onesimus to Philemon, first of all to apologise to Philemon for robbing him, as Paul writes in v. 16. "not now as a servant but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee". In other words he is saying "Don't receive him as a servant". Again Paul continues to write "If he has wronged you, put it to my account. I will repay it" (v. 18). Paul had no money at that time, but promised to pay later on. He wanted Onesimus to be received as Philemon would receive Paul.

Imagine Onesimus coming back to Philemon's house, the same robber who had robbed him. When they saw him there must have been fear in their hearts, as they whispered. "There comes the thief, let us be careful". But when he came inside and Philemon received the letter and read Paul's account of him. their views changed. He prayed with the whole family, and when he prayed the heaven was opened. They thought to themselves. "Is he the thief? What a wonderful transformation". In prayer Onesimus must have mentioned how the Lord saved him through Paul, and how he had been taught by him. After prayer he may have handed over the Epistles of Ephesians and Colossians. As they read, they may have said: "It is beyond our understanding. Can you explain the meaning?" We find in these days that even great scholars find it loo difficult to explain these two epistles. But here was a thief who, learning from Paul, could explain the mysteries of his teachings. In the house of God many can be changed like Onesimus from living a life of sin and shame, to a deep understanding of God's will and purpose.

I was in Karachi in 1933. I prayed that the Lord would give me educated co-workers that we might go out together and preach the gospel. But instead the Lord gave me illiterate sweepers. It was not my choice but His choice. One day while we were having a meeting there, about five hundred people gathered. There were many sweepers anions them who were drunkards and gamblers. One of them brought a young man with high fever on the cot. Though he had high fever he was still brought to the meeting. After a few days I went to the same locality to enquire about the young man. With tears I was told he had passed away. I felt very sad. and went to see his father Lalaya who was sitting on a cot and I told him how sorry I was about the death of his son. Then I took my Bible, read a few words, and prayed. After prayer he said: "I feel better, please come again". Just a few words comforted him. I went to him again several times and that's how the Lord began to save souls one by one. I began to have prayer meetings early in the morning with the sweepers who brought their baskets and brooms because they usually start their work at 4 o'clock. After prayer they would all go to their respective places to sweep. Thus they became co-workers. None of them were graduates. I had a blind man who used to play the music for which I used to give him a cup of lea. and I was able to take the gospel throughout the whole area by the help of these people. It was a barren place full of thorns and briars, but it soon became spiritually fruitful, Everybody in the locality could see the change in these sweepers. Through their singing and prayer, they knew they were men of God. In the house of God there is no question of caste or creed, educated or uneducated or of handicaps.

You may have any handicap or come from any walk of life, but one: you are transformed, you become useful to other people '1 Cor. :26-28). "Things that are despised hath God chosen". Throughout the world, God has chosen men of that kind, despised, murderers, and thieves who in the end become great men of God. God can pick up such human beings and transform them into saints of God.