We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 2:1 NIV
The verse for today is solemn reminder that no one, regardless of their wisdom, skill, or ability, is immune to drifting away from the true way of Jesus Christ. R. Kent Hughes, in his book, Disciplines of a Godly Man, describes being real about sexuality this way:
“Be real about your sexuality. Do not succumb to vain gnostic prattle about you being a Spirit-filled Christian who would “never do such a thing!” …Face the truth – King David fell, and so can you!”
While, this statement focused on sexuality, however, the same principle applies with every other sins. Consequently, drifting away becomes inevitable when a man fail to give attention to his way in the light of God’s word.
How much of God’s word have you heard already? How much of the same are you carefully living out in your life today? The truth of God’s word demands your full attention – it demands that you keep a firm grip on it. One can drift off if taken lightly.
Therefore, we must actively engage with the Word of God and take heed to the truths that have been revealed to us. Similarly, we must be intentional in our faith and guard ourselves against the tendency to become complacent and apathetic.
While the metaphor of drifting away is commonly used to depict how one can easily lose their focus and slip away from their faith. It is similar to how a boat can drift away from its anchor if left unattended. Therefore, it is important to remain vigilant so that we do not drift away from the truth. The drift can happen gradually and imperceptibly, and if we are not careful, we may find ourselves far from the shore of our faith before we even realize it.
However, to prevent this from happening, we should urge ourselves to pay the most careful attention to what we have heard. This means actively engaging with the Word of God, studying it, meditating on it, and applying it to our lives. It means being intentional about our faith and guarding ourselves against the distractions and temptations that can lead us astray.
Hebrews 2:1 is a timely reminder for us today. We live in a world that is full of distractions and competing voices. Therefore, it is easy for us to neglect our spiritual lives when we become too busy. But if we want to stay anchored in our faith, we must pay careful attention to what we have heard. We must make time to read the Bible, to pray, and to fellowship with other believers. We must guard our hearts and minds against the influences that can lead us away from the truth.
Prayer
Help me Lord, to pay attention to my life through Your Word. Help me not to drift away at any point.
