An Important Warning to Resist the Danger of Drifting Away
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
Don’t Drift Away!
I've lived near an ocean most of my life—in Southern California, the Visayan region of the Philippines, and now in NE Florida. I'm familiar with the power of currents and tides.
The majority of Florida is a peninsula extended from the Southeast corner of the US and surrounded by water. Many swimmers need rescuing each year when riptides sweep them out into the ocean. Unfortunately, some aren’t rescued in time and drown.
Most every year, a fishing boat or pleasure craft goes adrift in the Gulf of Mexico or below the Florida Keys. These boats may drift miles and miles before they are rescued. Sadly, some are found too late to be rescued.
Solid footing, secure moorings, and anchors are needed to prevent a person or a vessel from drifting off. Even where currents are gentle, if a boat isn't tied securely to its mooring it will drift away.
Rivers can be treacherous, especially when storms swell rivers and create flash floods. Lakes are subject to unexpected squalls kicking up and capsizing boats. Jesus' disciples knew this from experience.
The miracles of Jesus walking across the water and calming the storm with a few words had a purpose beyond the display of Jesus’ power. The disciples had to learn not to rely upon their own expertise and experience with matters of faith. It was a slow, long learning curve for them, just as for all of us.
Scripture Text
For this reason we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. Then we won’t drift, away from the truth.
After all, the message that the angels brought was reliable, and every violation and act of disobedience was properly punished. So how will we escape punishment if we reject the important message, the message that God saved us?
First, the Lord told this saving message. Then those who heard him confirmed that message. God verified what they said through miraculous signs, amazing things, other powerful acts, and with other gifts from the Holy Spirit as he wanted.
(Hebrews 2:1-4 GW) [Context– Hebrews 2]
Key Phrase —
We must pay closer attention to what we have heard. Then we won’t drift away…
Dig Deeper Into the Text—
What are we warned about and then exhorted to do?
What is the benefit of heeding this warning and the implied consequences?
Why do you think there is this triple emphasis on Jesus proclaiming the gospel, then echoed by the disciples, and confirmed by God's Spirit?
Things to Consider—
This is the first of five warnings in the Book of Hebrews. There are three parts to this warning. It focuses on the gospel message of redemption and is confirmed three times. It's a solemn warning—don’t reject the grace of God extended to us in the Gospel!
We're exhorted to "pay close attention" to this message of redemption through the personal appearance and work of Jesus (see Hebrews 1:3). If we don't, we will drift away.
Consider this image in real-life experience. A riptide pulls a swimmer out to deep water without them realizing it. It's stronger than any swimmer, even an Olympic athlete. A river moves in one direction and pulls a person down where the current is stronger.
This gives us some idea of the danger of inattention or indifference to the truth of the gospel. It happens when we get distracted or become lazy and indifferent to the truth of God's gracious redemption.
This is how the drift begins. It may start slow but carries us further and further along without us realizing it. We need to be alert to this danger to guard against drifting away.
How important is this message? We see it confirmed in three ways. First, the Lord Jesus—the Son of God as a human—brings the message. Jesus is the core of the gospel message.
Those closest to Jesus, His disciples, echoed His message of gracious redemption, as seen in the Book of Acts. Thirdly, supernatural power through the Holy Spirit confirmed their message, even as seen in the Gospels by the miracles of Jesus.
The consequence of drifting from and abandoning the message of grace in the Gospel is greater than any disobedience of the Old Covenant Law (Hebrews 2:2-3).
The warning is simple. If we've heard and believed, we need to hold on to this message of gracious redemption. If not, we'll drift away with those who don't believe or don't care.
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life—
Do you understand how different the Old Covenant Law is from the grace of the gospel?
Are there times when you feel you've drifted away from the truth of God's grace?
How can you keep from drifting away, being distracted, or becoming indifferent to the gospel?
How have you seen the gospel confirmed in your life?
How have you echoed or shared the gospel with others?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
