Friday, May 13, 2011

Drifting

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 02:01-04, NKJV).

The Book of Hebrews contains some dire warnings. Chapter 2 begins with the first one, encapsulated by the phrase drift away and preceded by the exhortation to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard. Thus we have both the disease and the prescription in one succinct sentence, and it is a sentence that speaks volumes about human nature and our tendency to slip-slide away into disaster.

Most apostasy is gradual. It doesn't happen overnight; we do not typically find a new and vibrantly sincere convert to Christianity become suddenly lukewarm. It is a process that takes awhile, and is the result of carelessness and theological sloth. A slow degradation occurs because the fire of fervent motivation is left untended, fading into barely glowing embers that ultimately become room temperature, casting no light, providing no warmth, and impacting no other soul - except perhaps for an errant streak of charcoal meaninglessly and randomly smeared across someone's life in a show of trite legalism, heartless worship, or empty prayers.

There is a remedy, a preventative regimen spelled out plainly for all to see, and it can be paraphrased this way: pay vigilant attention to the Word of God. Immerse yourself in its purifying truths. Inoculate yourself against distraction and deceit by focusing not on the things of the world, but on the things above.

Drifting is a nautical term, both in English and Greek. It is used to describe what happens when a vessel's does not make the necessary course corrections along the way to maintain a true heading. Instead of safe harbor, the ship finds itself in uncharted waters, or captive to currents and riptides that threaten its ability to remain afloat.

In a world becoming increasingly relativistic, it is crucial to maintain solid bearings so that your spiritual compass can hold steady. You MUST desire God's Word as both an infant craves milk, and as a growing child craves solid food. You must guard against being conformed once again to this fallen world and strive to be transformed by the renewing of your mind in the truth of Scripture.

How many of us are able to focus our energy and time on something that we love to the virtual exclusion of all else? How many hobbyists can find time to devote to their passion despite other priorities and demands? We know how to do this; it is an inherent ability of our human nature. Our problem is not inability, but lack of will.

And when we succumb to the distractions of our flesh, and the world, and the schemes of the enemy, we neglect the one thing that will prevent us from going astray - the Word of God.

There is abundant evidence that more than justifies a life of active and engaged faith. As believers we have already accepted that God is real, that the Gospel is the power of salvation to those who believe, and that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and yet we are still susceptible to the drifting that comes from lack of diligence in paying attention to the whole counsel of God. And no matter what your views on eternal security or conditional perseverance of the saints, if we feed our flesh rather than our spirit, we will become anemic Christians, potentially blown about by every wind of doctrine.

There is nothing the enemy would like better than for a Christian to wander aimlessly through the journey of life, operating on squishy convictions, never feeling empowered to make a difference in this life for the eternal life to come. It is tragic. It is a waste. We need to be wise and faithful stewards of that which our Lord entrusts us, and that requires constant attention.

Exhortation after exhortation to diligence, self-discipline, fervency, and long-suffering appear in Scripture, and while I believe emphatically that the Bible teaches that once saved, always saved, I also believe that out of gratitude, love and obedience we are to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling - for it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

It is no less a spiritual principle than sowing and reaping, forgiving and forgiveness, and humility and exaltation.

We are saved by faith for good works, but to maintain the course set for us by God that He has laid out beforehand, we must give that more earnest heed to things we have heard and learned of His truth. We cannot grow lazy in spiritual things, or allow our new natures to become malnourished. To do so is like a starving man with food abounding within easy reach, who is too slothful to reach out his hand to take it in.

Uncorrected drifting leads to a world of potential hurt, disillusionment, distress and sin. Our unerring compass is God's truth. We must remain reachable and teachable, by not neglecting to gather together for fellowship, prayer, and sound doctrine. We must purpose in our hearts to value His Word more than our necessary food.

As one beloved brother has said, "when the world cuts me, I want to bleed Bible."

Do not become shipwrecked. Be diligent to show yourself approved by rightly dividing the word of truth.

It's your choice.