“Beware, Lest We Drift Away!”
Charles G. Maples, Sr.
After the Inspired writer of the Hebrew letter had made appeal to the Superiority of the One through Whom God speaks to us, over those through whom He had spoken “in times past,” he warns us to “give more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest haply we drift away (from them).” – Hebrews 2:1, NASV
Of the word, “Drift,” W.E. Vine, in his study of N.T. Words, says it means “to glide by…things heard.” Random House Dictionary says, “…deviation from a set course…to be carried along…by force of circumstances…to wander aimlessly…”
Inspiration warns that “…many will DEPART from the faith…giving heed to doctrines of demons…!” (I Timothy 4:1), and the writer says in 1:20 that Hymenaeus and Phyletus had “rejected” matters concerning “the Faith,” and were guilty of “blasphemy!” (v. 21)
Of this later, WE are in much less danger of becoming guilty, than in the former – “DRIFTING.” Whereas the former carries with it the idea of WILFULNESS, the later might result from simply a lack of CAREFULNESS or ATTENTION to directions or instructions. Jesus describes “the way” as “Narrow” (Matthew 7:13f), and this alone would suggest that the slightest “drift” is dangerous! We would be wise to heed the caution often given to learning drivers, “Keep your eyes on the road!” In 3:12 of the same letter of our text, Inspiration warns us; individually and collectively; “take heed therefore brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” He goes on to warn that we might fail to “enter into Rest…” or heaven! Simply “Drifting” can cause us to be lost! If the helmsman is not careful, the ship will DRIFT off course, and possibly onto the rocks! If the driver becomes drowsy, or careless, the car might DRIFT into oncoming traffic! God, in His divine wisdom, has established the Course to heaven. We are warned, over and over, not to “deviate from that set Course,” but to CAREFULLY pursue – follow it!
THE DANGER OF DRIFTING IS CONSTANT! Note that the writer says, “…AT ANY TIME…!” As was true of God’s people, Israel, so it is with His people in this dispensation and time! The “falling away,” of which the apostle Paul warned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, DID come; and such has happened over and over! The same inspired apostle warned the elders of the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:28-31); the “bottom line” to them being, “…therefore WATCH…!” That warning was not heeded; at least not for long; as we see indicated in Revelation 2:4-5. There is never a generation that can “just relax,” and feel immune to this danger! In recent years (even now!) we have observed brethren drifting from the “right way,” into many speculations of human wisdom!
“NEGLECT” IS A THIEF! Neglect in teaching, study, knowledge…Lack of WATCHFULNESS, as noted above in the case of the church at Ephesus. Losing sight of our “aim;” taking our eyes off of the “compass,” can rob us of “eternal salvation!” BEING “BEWITCHED” (Galatians 3:1; 1:1ff), into exchanging “Truth” for “lies!” (Rom. 1:25) “Brinkism” – the philosophy that encourages disciples to steer a course just as close to “the outside line;” as close to error as they THINK the Lord will allow; presents a constant danger of “DRIFTING” outside the line! (2 John 9)
CONSIDER SOME CONSEQUENCES (and there are many!): (1) Getting “out of step” with Christ! (I Peter 1:21; cf. Rev. 2:5!) (2) We might so sicken our Lord that He will “vomit (US) out of His mouth!” (Rev. 3:16) (3) We might be consumed by “savage wolves!” (Acts 20:29) (4) We might be “carried away with every wind of doctrine!” (Eph. 4:4) RESULT: We might ultimately fail to “enter into His Rest!” (Hebrews 3:12 thru 4:1)
“LET US THEREFORE GIVE THE MORE EARNEST HEED to the things we have heard, lest WE drift away!” In the words of the apostle Peter, let us “be even the more diligent to make (OUR) calling and election sure, for if we do these things (vs. 5-7) we will never stumble (or “drift away”), for SO an entrance will be supplied (to us) abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 1:2-11)