Teachings of Jesus

By Kerry Patton
YC/Staff
April 4, 2010

Is America losing its freedoms? Do we truly have freedom of speech, expression, assembly, etc any longer?

Many can argue that we still have such freedoms; however, many more will argue that such freedoms are swiftly fading before us.

Freedom, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is defined as “the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.”

It may also mean “the liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another.” Considering that every historical implemented document which serves as the United States foundation explicitly mentions the word “freedom,” one must ponder whether we are truly free today.

Does freedom constitute being forced into paying a specified “tax” for a service some may rather not have?

Does freedom constitute, being referred to as something you are not based off one’s own beliefs or opinions which provides a label onto others?

Does freedom constitute owning a specified business however be coerced into government scandals?

America is not the Middle East nor is it a Communist or Dictatorship controlled nation. America is the “land of the free.”

It is obvious that none of these statements equates to any form of freedom. Today however, all Americans have witnessed acts which deplete any form of freedom we once had.

Currently, no sign exists for an end to such actions and behaviors; or do they?

Indeed there are signs that freedom within the United States will soon prevail once again. The greatest of signs have been exemplified through the recent forming of mass political and social movements throughout the United States.

We have witnessed more and more celebrity persons, specifically within our news media, discuss religion and freedom. Religion and freedom, these are two words often used in the same sentence.

Many argue that the United States was not founded off religious principles. This is extremely debatable. Each and every founding father that signed his death wish through the creation of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of War, and the U.S. Constitution were students of the bible.

When reading such historical documents, those that understand the Christian beliefs will observe how faith centric these documents truly are. Many may not see it however; observe the Passover Feast with Jesus and his disciples according to John 13:1-20:

“It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.

Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.”

“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

                ^“He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ ”

            “Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ”

Hopefully, this passage will assist in seeing the greater picture. Was this episode with Jesus as simple an act as many may believe?

Do we “realize now” what Jesus was really doing? Our forefather certainly did.

Jesus was about to commit himself to the ultimate sacrifice, His crucifixion. He was willing to die for us, and torturously did so.

Prior to his death, He laid the foundation for all mankind following His footsteps. Biblically, water, can also be construed as ‘Word.’  It wasn’t just health and wellness-it was more about following the word of Jesus: 

kindness, love, neighborliness, and healing outside of respected social circles. 

 Actions at the time were used to push the bounds of societal norms without physical fight as seen in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper.

The disciples were not forced to do such actions rather they freely choose to fulfill such measures. Many of them died because of it.

They too were persecuted and brutally murdered. Our forefathers acted similarly. They opened the doors to those in need.

They laid the framework for others to follow and they also later faced persecution and brutality amongst those that observed the world differently then them.

The United States has been asleep for a long time. We have slept, and while we slept we dreamt about wealth, superiority, and everything opposite the teachings of Jesus.

We have failed to remember those that provided us with freedom. We have lost faith in our God. We have lost faith in our forefathers.

In turn, we placed too much faith in our own government and individual self-centeredness.

We have finally awakened. In time, today’s actions amongst the American patriots may be referred to as the “Fourth Great American Awakening.” With faith preserved once again, we will survive.

We will survive through inviting our neighbors to feast. We will not stop with just a feast rather we will wash our neighbors feet, we will embrace them as our flock, we will ensure their needs are taken care of, and encourage them to go out and do the same for others. 

We will not do any of these acts of kindness because we are forced to do so; rather we will freely fulfill such kindness because that is what Jesus taught.

Revelation 11:18 states that: “The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come.

It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”

America is on the brink of total destruction. The American earth is soaked in blood due to past wars. Wars such as the American Revolution and the Civil War were fought over freedom.

More American lives have been lost throughout these wars than any other in our short history. We have been founded upon principles instilled in man to fight until our death to ensure freedom is preserved for all Americans.

Times have changed. We do not need violence amongst fellow Americans as too much bloodshed continues to be spilled in the world which we live. Instead, we need to willingly serve one another. We need to identify those in need and voluntarily assist them.

We need to live our lives to that which Jesus asked of us during the night of His Last Super. And lastly, we need to ensure elected officials support these values and principles which follows the footsteps of our Savior.

We have taken care of our own and many others throughout American history. We will be capable of fulfilling these principles on our own again.

It is time for big government initiatives to be stopped and allow the people of the United States the freedom to choose our own destiny.

 

Source: Kerry Patton

 

 

Editor’s Note: Kerry Patton served in the U.S. Defense and Justice departments, and as a contractor within the Homeland Security and State departments.

He has worked in South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe, focusing on intelligence and interviewing current and former terrorists, including members of the Taliban.

His upcoming book, “Sociocultural Intelligence: The New Discipline of Intelligence Studies,” is due out in June 2010. Currently, Mr. Patton teaches for Henley Putnam University. He is also a public speaker and available for speaking engagements.

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