DO NOT DRIFT AWAY
A ship does not drift because someone steers it in the wrong direction. It drifts because no one is paying attention. The tides slowly carry it away from its harbor.
The same is true in the Christian life. Few people abandon Christ all at once. More often, they slowly drift by neglecting God’s word, prayer, worship, and faithful obedience. For this reason the writer of Hebrews begins with a solemn warning: “We must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1).
The Danger
The warning begins with the words, “We must.” Spiritual vigilance is not optional. The Christian must give careful attention to the message revealed through Christ. Faith comes by hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17), and we are to be doers of the word rather than hearers only (James 1:22).
The blessed man delights in God’s law day and night (Psalm 1:1-3). Jesus taught that the wise man builds his house by hearing His sayings and putting them into practice (Matthew 7:24-27).
When we neglect these things, drifting is inevitable. Satan does not always push people away from Christ. Sometimes he simply persuades them to stop paying attention.
The Disobedience
The writer reminds his readers that every violation of the law given through angels received a just punishment (Hebrews 2:2). If God held Israel accountable under the old covenant, we should not expect to escape when we neglect the greater revelation that has come through His Son.
Jesus is greater than the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-2), greater than the angels (Hebrews 1:4-14), and His covenant is better than the one given through Moses (Hebrews 8:6). To neglect such a salvation is a serious matter.
Jesus asked, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). The danger is not merely rejecting Christ but ignoring Him.
The Deliverance
The salvation offered through Christ is described as “so great” (Hebrews 2:3). It is great because it was first spoken by the Lord Himself (Mark 1:14-15), confirmed by those who heard Him (Acts 2:22-24), and witnessed by God through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:20).
This salvation was purchased by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7), offers forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), reconciles us to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-21), and gives the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2). There is no greater gift God could have given, and there is no greater tragedy than to neglect it.
The writer does not warn against one dramatic act of rebellion. He warns against a slow, careless drift. Every Christian should regularly examine his heart, hold fast to God’s word, and keep his eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The safest believer is not the one who thinks he cannot fall, but the one who daily draws near to Christ and gives earnest heed to what he has heard.
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Prayer
Father, keep us from drifting away from Your Son. Give us hearts that love Your word, ears that are eager to hear it, and lives that faithfully obey it. Help us never to neglect the great salvation You have provided through Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.
BDD
