Hebrews 2:1-4 Relational Drift

It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off. If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything, do you think we can risk neglecting this latest message, this magnificent salvation? First of all, it was delivered in person by the Master, then accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from him. All the while God was validating it with gifts through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles, as he saw fit. (Hebrews 2:1-4 MSG)

Observation:

Drifting off is the ever present enemy of Christians both now and in years past. When I think of drifting, I think of the beach. As you stand in the water the waves gently carry you out to sea. It's almost unnoticeable. It is like that in relationships as well. We get busy, distracted, and before we know it the shore is far off and the gap is continuing to widen. Marriage is the biggest example of relational drift in our current culture.  We get busy, distracted, cause one another pain, and before we know it that gap between us is wider than we believe we can swim, so instead of fighting the waves to get back to shore, we just get carried out; out of marriage.

Our relationship with God is no different. If the enemy can distract us from God's message of love, then he can pull us away through a subtle drift. His hope is that he will create such a gap between us and God that we won't try to come back. The difference is, however, that God can bridge the distance, all we have to do is call on His name and ask Him to save us. Most people don't recognize that though, so they just keep drifting.

That is why the writer of Hebrews says the Message is so important to hold on to, not less. Salvation is not just a one time event, it is something we have to work at (Philippians 2:12). We have to be aware of the drift and fight against it always. 

Application: 

Relational drift is a threat to all Christians regardless of how long they have walked with Christ. So how do I keep from drifting?  Spiritual disciplines like prayer and bible study help. Also communing with other Christians can certainly be an anchor sometimes. However, to tell you the truth, none of these can keep me from spiritual drift in and of themselves, because all of them involve my performance. My performance will eventually fail. I get tired, bored, and distracted. 

What I've learned to rely on is the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. I confess my inadequacies to Him and ask Him to keep me from relational drift. From that prayer He creates a hunger and thirst for His word and prayer through what is happening externally around me. He puts me in situations where I have no choice but to rely on Him. By His great intervention in our relationship, I become aware of other relationships that might be drifting and can bring that to Him in prayer also; following His guidance and trusting Him to restore.

Prayer:

Father, You know I would drift away from You. My love is not enough, but Yours is. Please hold on to me and keep me close to Your heart. I also pray for the other important relationships in my life. Please keep us from drifting apart by drawing us closer to You.