Week 19, Day 1: Lest We Drift Away

Today’s Reading:  Hebrews 3:1-4:16

Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…

There is a theme throughout the book of Hebrews that warns about the possibility of separating ourselves from God, or “falling away”.  It is interesting that many in the religious world teach the doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved” which teaches that it is impossible to be lost once you are “saved”.  However, the book of Hebrews clearly contradicts that idea, with such passages as Hebrews 2:1.  The inspired writer tells us to give heed to the things that have been taught, “lest we drift away.”

If we are not vigilant in our attention to God’s word, it will not be long before we drift away from it.  It will seem less important to us.  We will care less about it.  We will start to consider its teachings far less when we make decisions in our lives.  But, usually one does not simply turn away from God and His word.  Rather, they will “drift away” from it.  They will simply begin to allow a bit of space between them and God’s will.  But, it does not take long before you will end up being far away from where you want to be, and far away from the comfort and the direction that God’s will can provide.

I can remember fishing in a canoe on a lake.  It appeared that the water was still, and that we would be able to sit over a hole of catfish all night and fish.  But, without an anchor, it was not long until the canoe was drifting.  And then it picked up speed.  Before long, we were approaching the edge of the lake, where the water spilled over the dam.  This happened without us hardly noticing it!  Spiritually, the same thing happens.  If we do not have our anchor set (the things that we have heard from the scriptures) then we will begin to drift away.  We may not even notice it at first.  Other Christians around us may not notice it either.  But, that doesn’t change the fact that we are allowing distance to span between us and God!

Another important point is to understand that it is indeed us who drift away.  God is steadfast and immovable.  He is going to remain constant.  He is like the shore of the lake, staying in the same place.  But, we are the ones who will drift away from Him.  He will not force us to stay near to Him.  He has provided the anchor for us…we must choose to use it!

So, let us give the more earnest heed to those things that have been revealed, that we might make them our anchor of the soul, lest we drift away from our God!

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