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

By Colin Lambert

This book is about friendship with the Holy Spirit, submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and principles that will produce fruit in a believers life. It is about faith principles and the outworking of practical theology in the life of a believer. Read about modern day revival on a individual and world-wide scale. It is written with a view to empower the individual and the local church to fulfill the great commission. The author doesnt shrink away from discussing issues that often prove divisive to many Christians, but prefers to face them head on offering practical solutions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973619093

Colin Lambert

With 26 years of mission experience world-wide working mainly in Manipur Nth East India, the author is well positioned to comment on how to succeed in missions. His experiences prove the book of Acts isnt merely an historical record, but a master plan for every modern day New Testament Church that would follow. Colin supports his missionary work as an Auditor in Melbourne Australia. He is also the President of Capture and Release Ministries Inc.- an Association which releases Christians onto the Mission field world-wide. His passion is to see the nations won to Christ. He is married to Jenny and is a father of three: Tim, Kristen and Carolyn with a total of 8 grandchildren. He is a board member of Discover Church Inc. whose senior minster is Pastor Steve Cioccolanti. His passion is to see the nations won to Christ.

Book preview

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. A bullet is placed in one of the six chambers, which they spin, place the gun to their head and then 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, 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 them? 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 risk your eternal destiny by delaying the decision to make Jesus Lord of your life. 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.

Questions:

Have you made any excuses about making Jesus Christ Lord of your life?

Why is it important not to delay the decision to make Jesus Christ Lord of your life?

CHAPTER 2

Unless a Man is Born Again?

Why Isn’t Once Enough?

The purpose of this chapter is to explain the meaning of the term ‘born again.’ When we appropriate the finished work of the cross to our life, we become born again. It is our salvation experience and it is therefore important to understand the biblical meaning and principles behind the experience.

John 3:1-6 presents us with the need to be born again. There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.""3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴ Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? ⁵ Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Jesus said this to poor old Nicodemus confusing him terribly. So let’s dig deeper into the meaning of being born again and find the pure gold.

The term ‘born again’ suggests something must be wrong with the first birth and also that something has died and has come back to life. The problem goes back to our origins. God created mankind as children to live in relationship with Him as His under rulers enjoying life in a garden paradise. Such is the heart of God for His children. So it isn’t surprising films about paradise excite the human heart. We all want to live in paradise. However, to remind mankind about who was really in control, our Father God placed a tree in the middle of the garden warning our first parents not to eat from it. Adam and Eve enjoyed a face to face relationship with God, who walked in the garden with them. They were able to do this because their essence was similar and compatible with the nature of God. At first, their spirit hadn’t been stained by sin, or by what God says is wrong. No doubt this would have made Adam a very formidable man. Eve would make every man’s knees knock together. However, Eve was deceived and Adam knew what he was doing when they both rebelled against God’s authority by eating from the forbidden tree. The consequence of their sinful rebellion was the loss of their face to face relationship with God and a two-fold death. (Gen 2:16-17). They died an immediate spiritual death and hid from His presence, dying physically some time later. The consequences of original sin had entered the world and were passed on to all men. The wages of sin is death… (Rom 3:23)

Parents pass on their physical and spiritual genetics to their children. Perhaps at this stage you are conveniently blaming Adam and Eve for all the troubles of the world- a very convenient cop-out. But hey handsome or gorgeous, would you have been any different if you had come first? An apple tree gives birth to an apple tree an orange tree gives birth to an orange tree and a sinful tree gives birth to a … you guessed it, a sinful tree. Truly at this point you are thinking I am uncommonly clever stating this truism. Our inherited sin means we have the same problem as our first parents- a spirit that is dead to God. Many people are appalled to think that infants are sinners. I didn’t have to teach my children to sin, nor did my parents need to teach me. All of us are very good sinners from the moment we are born (Rom 5:12,17) Many great movies are made because we are so good at it. Yes, Houston we have a problem.

Jesus asked His first disciples- Who do men say that I am? He then becomes really personal and asks them: But who do you say that I am? (Luke 9:18) It is really the million dollar question at the end of the competition that determines a person’s final destiny and it is equally relevant to all who walk this earth today. When you know the answer, it entitles you to a free ticket on the ‘transporter’ to heaven if you are willing to reach out and take it. So beam me up Scottie (the engineer of the spaceship in Star Trek). Please have patience with my sanctified imagination or for the time being just humour me as I unfold these thoughts.

The bible describes God as morally pure and good. Then there is us. Have you ever committed the tiniest sin? (Rom 3:23) A single sin pollutes our spirit just like one drop of ink in a pure glass of water pollutes the entire glass. The holiness of God can be likened to a big jug of pure water and the sinfulness of mankind to a small glass of dirty water. If the two were combined God would be stained by uniting with mankind’s sin. Given that God is morally perfect He can’t live in relationship with those who aren’t. Our spirit which is dead to God needs to be born again to have a relationship with Him. When we put our trust in Jesus, confess Him as Lord of our life, ask forgiveness for our sin and believe in the resurrection- the promise is that we will be saved. The spirit that was dead to God becomes born again. (John 3:16, Rom 10:9-10) If we are saved according to the promises of God we must be born again. Through the merits of Christ’s righteousness and resurrection applied to us, our spirit becomes born again and we become alive to God, our sin problem is dealt with and we become citizens of heaven. We can then enjoy the benefits of sonship. (John 1:12) Forget the place in the film Shangri la it just isn’t going to cut it. The fountain of youth has already been found in the living water of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Born again can be likened to having a passport of citizenship in God’s kingdom, or like an adoption certificate proving that we are God’s children. We become the …adopted sons of God (Rom 8:15) and are …sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. (Eph 1:13). A seal signifies the owner’s mark- in this instance God’s signature on our adoption papers. God places His seal upon us warning those who oppose us not to tamper with the contents inside. We are owned by God as His precious possession and are imprinted with His seal as proof. Anyone trying to tamper with us will face the full authority and wrath of the One owning the seal. Seals are placed on degrees and legal contracts to show that the contents are authentic and that the person has qualified. In God’s eyes we are His authentic children of His kingdom and He has sealed us to prove it. The first disciples received the seal of the Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed on them and said: receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:19) If you breathe on a clear glass on a cold day you can see the frosty seal. In the same way when we believe in Jesus, He breathes on us and we receive His seal of adoption. It may not be a visible to the human eye, but His spiritual seal is imprinted upon us. So far, I have discussed the need to be born again but now let us look at how this happens.

In a generational sense God is our original ancestor. He created our first biological parents and therefore us through them. Sin caused our spirit to die and as a consequence, to see the kingdom of God we must be spiritually born again. John Chapter 3 gives us some insight into how this happens. However, the full importance is found progressively in other biblical passages as well. Let us investigate two important scriptures.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17) "…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. (1 Peter 1:23) We hear the word of God, we believe it, faith rises within us and we become born again. More than a mental ascent is needed that what God says is true. The core essence of the heart of who we are must also agree. It is one thing to say that something is true and another to live out that truth. We are saved by grace through faith in God’s gift. (Eph 2:8-10) Salvation cannot be achieved through any merit or ability of our own and is a gift that can only be accessed by faith. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). Therefore, becoming born again must have something to do with believing in Jesus. But what do we have to believe about Him to be saved? Demons believe in God and they tremble. In what way must our belief differ from theirs? I don’t want to tremble in fear like demons. I want relationship with God as my heavenly Father. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom10:9-10) The two essential elements of becoming born again are the confession of Jesus Christ as our Lord and the belief that God has raised Him from the dead. When we believe God’s promise in this way we will be saved. Our spirit which was dead to God through sin becomes alive to Him. I felt the outworking of this promise when the burden of sin physically lifted from me through having a clear conscience towards God on the day that I finally understood and believed.

Adam committed the sin of high treason because he removed God from the throne of his life and placed himself on it. We have all done the same thing and need to restore our relationship with God by removing ourselves from the throne of our life, placing Jesus on it and submitting to His governing authority. Unfortunately, anyone who permanently refuses to place Christ on the throne of their life will be an eternal criminal facing the punishment of spiritual death- eternal separation from God. We are told to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus who walks in front of us as victor and could even demand our lives. (Luke 14:27). Our confession to make Him Lord is important because of the promise: he that declares Me before men, will I declare before my Father in Heaven. (Mat 10:32) Great! So where do I sign up? Unfortunately, many people want an easy Christianity without fully understanding the cost and I don’t want to deceive you. Making Jesus Lord of your life could cost you absolutely everything in an earthly sense, to gain everything in a spiritual sense. I’m also aware, very aware that I am preaching to myself as well. Once we accept Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf we become a clean vessel ready to be filled with God’s new life. The spirit that was dead to God now becomes alive to Him and our life takes on new meaning, significance and purpose.

When we are born again we can see the kingdom of God at work both in our own life and in the lives of others we seek to influence. This happens because we have entered into the authority of God’s kingdom. I normally think of a kingdom in terms of a place such as heaven. However, the word means so much more. Kingdom isn’t just the geographical and spiritual location but also includes the ability and authority to rule within it. When we are born again we enter into the realm of God’s kingdom and authority. As God’s adopted sons and daughters, He expects us to use the authority He has delegated to us. The story of the prodigal son is well known but most people miss the point about the second prodigal son. He was perhaps even more prodigal than the first who had misused his inheritance. The second son had at his disposal his father’s inheritance and yet had failed to use it in any significant way to extend the kingdom. Listen to this: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) It is our God’s good pleasure and this should inspire us to great exploits in the name of our God.

Many people claim life is a continuous cycle of life, death and rebirth which is in sharp contrast to the biblical position as it has been appointed for man to die once but after this the judgement (Heb 9:27) There are no second chances after this life. You must be born again within the time that you have here on earth. It simply isn’t wise to play Spiritual Russian Roulette with your future and delay it.

Born again with a purpose:

When an acid combines with a base, salt and water is produced. Jesus describes us as the salt of the earth. (Mat 5:13) He also said that rivers of living water will flow from us. (John 7:38) The born again product of the spiritual reaction between the encounter of God and man is spiritual salt and water. Jesus describes His food as the work of the Father and we are described as salt. Therefore our salt is to preserve and enhance the work of Jesus by bringing out the flavour of the gospel by extending the kingdom of God. When we do this, rivers of living water flow into the lives of a lost and dying world. Becoming born again is the starting point for a satisfying life of purpose.

The life of Christianity consists of possessive pronouns says Martin Luther. It is one thing to say, Christ is a Saviour; it is quite another thing to say, He is my Saviour and my Lord. The devil can say the first; the true Christian alone can say the second." Resource, July/August, 1990.

Questions:

Describe the two fold death that took place as a result of sin.

Why can’t God allow sinful people with their own self-righteousness into heaven?

What do we need to do to have an ongoing relationship with God?

Write out the two main scriptures that explain the salvation, or born again experience.

What is the purpose of receiving the seal of the Holy Spirit when we are born again?

Jesus is God’s only begotten Son (not made), what sort of sons and daughters are we?

Have you personally taken the steps mentioned to become born again? If not do it now.

CHAPTER 3

Water Baptism and

Baptismal Regeneration

Is water baptism necessary for salvation? I have a number of good Christian friends that I love and who love me who believe in this doctrine. In writing this, it isn’t my intention to deliberately offend my friends. The doctrine encompasses the false need for obedience to fulfil all righteousness. It is true that Jesus was baptised and that we should follow His example and that we are told to baptise people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Therefore, the importance of baptism shouldn’t be understated. The question becomes in what way does baptism fulfil all righteousness and why does Jesus think it important?

The word of God is clear to me that salvation is a gift plus nothing. If it is necessary to be baptised, worship God on a particular day, or any other such thing involving an act of man to be saved, salvation ceases being a gift and is earned. We probably let God down in some way every day, so if we have to rely on obedience to be saved, we are all in trouble. Quite frankly we will never be obedient enough. Just as the observance of a day of worship cannot be deified, we should not deify the act of baptism. In deifying these things, we elevate the status of man by the things he can do to earn salvation and diminish the status of God by taking away from what He has already done.

The doctrine of baptismal regeneration is based on Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe