Hebrews 2:1-3
1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?
To drift is to be carried away slowly by a current of air or water; it is a continuous slow movement from one place to another, but it happens so slowly that the person drifting isn’t even aware. When a boat or ship is brought into the harbor, they either drop the anchor or for a small boat they tie it so that it does not drift. If this is not done the waves will slowly carry the boat away and before long it will be out at sea.
The writer of the book of Hebrews uses the term drift to warn us of how easy it is to walk away from the faith without even knowing it.
Drifting requires no effort, all you have to do is nothing and the waves and undercurrent will carry you away. The other interesting thing about drifting is that you never drift upstream or against the tide. Going upstream requires effort, it has to be deliberate.
Sometimes we only think about ourselves and we forget others are also looking at us. The more we drift, especially if you are a person of influence, the more you take others along with you so in essence you are not only a danger to yourself but to others as well.
We live in a world where social media and entertainment have taken center stage. Every free time we get we look for something to entertain us, even in the church more and more we are allowing entertainment to take up our service times. We are replacing preaching the word with entertainment and because of this many have drifted away from what they heard having not paid careful attention to it. How then do we expect to escape having ignored such a great salvation?
The only way to stay on course is to carefully study the word so that we may walk in it.
Matthew 4:4 ESV
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Are you drifting and you don’t even know it?
Reflections
Have I gotten comfortable with the things of the world always having an excuse why this and that is not that bad?
What kind of entertainment tickles and excites me?
How would I know it if I start drifting?
