Pride Blocks the Humility of A Born Again Experience

Our pride gets in the way so much from living peacefully. If we spent more time reflecting on our own short comings,  instead of pointing at people or blaming family, friends, events; we would truly find peace in all situations. Did the Father not bring us through the battles, the tough times for a greater purpose? Was He not there the entire time holding our hand, helping us through? Often what holds us back is the spirit of pride which blocks the humility of a born again experience.

Clemens Alexandrinus called Clement was a follower of Peter. He traveled with Peter after being introduced by Barnabus who you remember in our bibles. Clement tells us  that ” The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broke and contrite heart.”  We are to live out all areas of our lives as if God ( YHWH) is looking. We should humble ourselves in error, living daily in fear and truth.

It was such a gift reading all 300 something pages of Clementine Homilies. There is so much to learn from what is written about Peter, Peter’s words and his public debates with pagans.In today’s reading, Clement speaks a lot about humility. This reoccurring theme of humility is tied to the born again experience.

Here are a few quotes:

” Seeing then all things are seen and heard by God; let us fear him and let us lay aside our wicked works which proceed from ill desires: that through his mercy we may be delivered from the condemnation to come. ”

” Miserable are the double-minded, and those who are doubtful in their hearts. ”

“Depart from evil and do good, seek peace and ensue it.”

” Let them learn great a power of humility with God….”

“Turn to him with holiness in pure mind.”

Clement tells us that the holy spirit searches our inward parts. He is very near to us, none of our thoughts or reasonings are hid from him. We should have a habit of purity ( Pure thoughts, pure living, pure communication);  affection of meekness. He stresses that we would be better if we govern our tongues with silence.

All things are possible with God accept one thing Clement tells us, HE CANNOT LIE. Lying to ourselves about what we need to clean up is the biggest stumbling block to being cleansed. It is the truth in all things that will set you free. Double minded living, double minded thoughts will not bring you the peace but turmoil.

It is through that humility of honest self reflection, that breaking point where we acknowledge to the maker and to everyone else our authentic selves that we can grow and become new creatures in Him. Until we unveil and peel back all the ugly parts revealing them with a humble heart, we can’t move to that place of peace nor can we be truly “born again.”

As I went through the process of being born again, I realized how many people I had hurt, how selfish I was and how much I hurt my Dad through my disrespect and dishonor.  I spent many hours repenting as I read the bible the first time, that year after Dad’s death. It was a rebirth process for me.

Clement says that it is through humility, admitting mistakes and living in a way that is pleasing to the Father that we receive grace. If we admit our mistakes, we cannot turn around in justification or blame or defense. Otherwise, our so called repentance is blotted in pride. True repentance doesn’t work that way. The spirit of defensiveness is one of the biggest road blocks to humility which leads to a new you.

After we say we are sorry we can’t keep repeating these mistakes. How tired must God be with us when we keep saying we are sorry only to do the bad thing again? Pretty soon, Dad will get fed up with our empty promises and bad behavior. With every good Father there are consequences to our bad choices. We have a choice to behave. The willpower comes from Holy Spirit encounter. Without Holy Spirit you will not be strong enough to change. Pray for the Holy Spirit to drive you in all areas of your life that need an overhaul clean up.

It is often hard to live peacefully when we fill we are being mistreated, however we must never forget that our Messiah, never opened his mouth as he was led to slaughter. When he was mocked, spit on, beaten;  he never uttered a word.  “Forgive them they know not what they do. ”  I often think about that kind of love, wanting to live that way…see people through those kind of loving eyes. Yahusha ( Jesus) is such an inspiration to all of us.

We have to all be able to look at ourselves in the mirror, get to the root of all our problems and pull those weeds out  once and for all. ( FROM THE ROOT!) Fight for your eternal life! For PEACE!

Being born again, means a new you, a WHOLE new life. That does not mean partial make-over. It means all or nothing.

Wide gate or Narrow Gate. We can’t be a born again Christian and still be addicted to prescription drugs. We can’t be a born again Christian and continue to flip through porn or curse at every stubbed toe. We cannot be a born again Christian and harm are bodies in any way. If you talk trash about others, you are not living a born again life.

I do not believe once saved, always saved. I believe based on my study of scriptures old and new that we can lose our salvation by choice by backsliding and living in ways that are against God’s will. We will never be perfect and the Son died for our transgressions. But he did not die so we can live a life of sin with a get free out of jail card in our back pocket. We must live in righteousness, in fear because we LOVE : YHWH ( God) and Yahusha ( Jesus).

Let me give you an example:

There are times in the bible where the Holy Spirit leaves a person.  1 Samuel 16:14 it says: Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.”

Then there are times when people can be baptized just with water but not the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8: 16For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2: 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

True repentance, true heart for God’s kingdom and what his Son has done, comes with the ability through the gift of the Holy Spirit to Change completely, to submit fully all areas of your life in accordance with the will of the Father.

Too many times, people are baptized without a repenting. Even if they do, many keep on living life of greed, lies, addiction, deceit, lust, materialism, anger, rage, gossip chatter and the list goes on. Many people also think what is right is wrong and what is wrong is right. If you want to know what sin is, read word.

We are not defined by our past, by our heartaches, by others love or hate for us or treatment of us, we are not defined by our traumas. When we continue to drudge up the past, live as broken people, the Father cannot use us fully for the Kingdom. We have to be trusted by YHWH to truly be used. If we waiver in any area, we are not equipped or strong enough for the big assignments and we will not be able to withstand the trials that come with the great commission.

Are any of us perfect? Absolutely not. But we have to make a goal to live righteously in all areas. We must examine our lives, every part work, home, school. We must protect our eyes and ears. We must tame our tongues. We must count our blessings. We must praise and pray. We must not allow the evil in this world or what has or will be done to us let us spiral out of control or lose our focus. Jesus can come at anytime. We must be ready.

Scriptures Today:

Jesus himself said it is not as easy as a simple prayer to make it into heaven.

Matthew 7: 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

John 3: 3: “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Matthew 7:  22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 24Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.…”

PRAYER TODAY:  Inspired from King David’s Prayer:
Have Mercy on me Father, according to your love and kindness, please blot out my transgressions.

Wash me through your son’s blood of my iniquity, cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions:

______________________________( repent, take your time be specific).  I have sinned against only you and you only Father. I desire truth throughout my entire being. Make known to me any unclean area of my life and give me the power of the Holy Spirit to change. Wash me and make me whiter than snow. Make my heart sing and be joyful in gladness at your goodness and let me rejoice in all the blessings in my life, keeping my eyes fixed on your love, promises, mercy and kingdom not the troubles of this life.

Create a clean heart in me and restore the Holy Spirit fully to me. Help me to teach other transgressors your ways so that sinners will be restored to you. I will praise you with my mouth. I know you delight in a the sacrifice of a broken spirit, one that is willing to submit all things to you. So today, I submit all to you.  I will trust you. I will not worry. I will not be anxious. I will rest in the comfort of your arms. You will renew my mind, body and spirit, bringing me into the full born again experience.

I ask for special help overcoming these areas of my life:

Thank you for loving me, helping me and having mercy on me today.

Amen.