Added to the Church

Sent to the New World

Early America in the time of the 1600s was a different place than we know it today. Still operating under the authority of England at that time, many crossed the Atlantic for a new future, freedom from the economy, and land. Due to a unique wool market, landlords evicted families off their farmland, and some set sail to the New World. 

One such young man was sent ahead to the New World with his father’s words written in a book detailing how he wanted the new farm to be laid out. The father desired for the son to have the farm prepared for his arrival. The boy traveled by ship across the Atlantic, fighting against disease and starvation, to finally arrive on the banks of Virginia. The journey by sea was an impressive story of survival of its own. The boy was given a large plot of 200 acres, just as advertised in England. The boy quickly got to work. His father would be coming soon, and he wanted the farm to be ready.

With great excitement, the boy sought to build a cabin, and according to the father’s word, the boy found the area and agreed with what the father’s word requested. So, the boy built the cabin. Next, the boy needed to dig a well, and according to the father’s word, he found the area the well should be dug. The boy agreed that the area was suitable and dug the well. A barn and a garden were next up. The word sent by the father asked for the barn to be placed on the west end of the property. The boy saw this and disagreed. The boy thought the barn would serve best on the other side of the land. So, the boy built the barn, not where the father requested. The garden was to be also placed by the barn, but now the boy disagreed and dug the garden elsewhere. 

A Completed Cabin

The boy completed the cabin and well according to his father’s will but failed to do so with the barn and garden. Really, with careful thought, you will realize the boy obeyed the father only when it corresponded with his will. The orders of the cabin and well were pleasing to the boy, so he chose to obey. Is this faithful obedience? This is a shared problem in the religion of the world. God’s word is only obeyed when it is pleasing to them. The desire should be that we obey the Father’s will regardless of how we feel about it.

There are two types of authority in religion today, from men or from heaven (Matt 21:25). Only one of these is the correct choice. Jesus has the authority in all heaven and earth, and He has the words of eternal life (Matt 28:18; John 6:68). Let us do things by the book and not go beyond what is written (1 Cor 4:6). The word of God thoroughly furnishes us unto every good work. We do not need any additional revelations today other than what God has already given us to be complete before God.

The boy’s father, upon his arrival, could not recognize his property. Let us ensure that is not the case for our Father.