Now! Faith (A Sojourners Guide to the Fourth Dimension)

If unbelievers read this book it is my prayer that they will have an encounter with God and find their salvation. I also write to empower Christians to fulfil the great commission of making more and better disciples of Jesus Christ.

The material for this book comes largely from the revival I have seen in Nth East India, street evangelism in Lilydale Victoria Australia, my family and some of my personal struggles. I have written about practical help found in scripture relating to my life's experiences- practical theology as it applies to real life situations. My training as an auditor has been extremely useful in my search to find answers about subjects that have had practical relevance in my life, in the hope that readers will find them useful in theirs.

Jesus said to Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8) This verse is both scary and exciting. The wind of the Holy Spirit picks us up to minister in the areas of His choosing often outside the comfort areas of our own life. The source of our faith is external to our three worldly dimensions although in reality it impacts them all. The title of my book is descriptive of that reality. The bible tells us that we are in the world but not of the world therefore in that sense we are sojourners or temporary residents awaiting permanent resettlement in a heavenly home.

Please humour me as I exercise my sanctified imagination. The introduction to the science fiction series Star Trek always begins with: and to boldly go where no man has gone before. This sounds very similar to our journey with the Holy Spirit as He leads us into new frontiers of the unknown. There is a transporter in the Star Trek movies which converts people into particles sending them to different locations. In some ways this can be likened to the resurrection. We will die physically and ultimately find ourselves in heaven with Christ in a glorified body. I dedicate this book to the glory of God and to those millions of Star Trek fans (and Christians) bold enough to believe God for what seems impossible to them, but possible to Him. So let's go on a journey of discovery together about the immediacy of Now! Faith.

If you are uncomfortable with a sanctified imagination, I have used several writing styles. I particularly love the story telling style of Jesus and so I have used some of His and some of mine. Paul tried at times to be all things to all men and I pray that you will relate to some if not all of my journey. There is gold within these pages well worth digging for. I pray the lessons within will inspire you to do great works worthy of our King, so that when you stand before Him and your works are tested by fire, much gold will remain.

Happy reading and God bless,

Colin Lambert

Chapter 1: Let's Play Russian Roulette

All around the world people from every tongue, tribe and nation wake up and willingly play this frightening game. Perhaps they like the adrenalin rush, I’m not really sure. There is an old gun called a six shooter. They place a bullet in one of the six chambers, spin the chamber and place the gun to their head and pull the trigger. Click goes the gun and they move on to the rest of their day. Unfortunately for some the bullet actually fires and they die. No doubt some people have actually played this game if TV accounts are true. It is often used as a form of torture to obtain information from an unwilling participant. However the every-day game I compare it with is actually called spiritual Russian roulette and is even more serious than the bullet in the loaded gun.

This game is played when people hear the gospel then say to themselves, no I'm not ready to make Jesus Lord of my life right now. The excuses go something like: I'm still young there is always another day; I need to concentrate on my family right now; I need to earn more money; my Mum will be angry if I do; or people will think I'm silly. And any other excuse you can think of. (Luke 4:15-24)1 Click goes the trigger to the spiritual gun boys click, click, click as the crowd in the Roman Colosseum watch in morbid anticipation. As Christians we need to see unsaved people as swimming in a raging see about to drown. We are in a lifeboat and should be throwing them the life line of Jesus Christ. Who will go? Who wants to go? Will you?

When people delay making Jesus Lord of their life, they play spiritual Russian roulette. The day comes and the gun fires and they find that there are no more days left and are eternally separated from God. Perhaps you are outraged because you say I would never play that game! Although you would like to live a long life, it doesn’t change the fact the day may come upon you as a thief in the night and you will find yourself in eternity. Don't play spiritual Russian roulette! Don't delay the decision to make Jesus Lord of your life and risk your eternal destiny. Ask Him now. People get hit by trucks don't they? It's a dangerous thing just stepping outside the door as Bilbo Baggins the hobbit will tell you.