1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
to the things we have heard,
The phrase “the things we have heard” refers to New Testament revelation given through the apostles as well as to the first chapter of Hebrews. This is especially true when it comes to the Son’s revelation (He 1:2). There are serious issues about questioning the validity of God’s truth.
What was “heard” was the truth revealed in the Son. It is all that has been said in chapter 1 about the superiority of the Son.
lest we drift away.
Believers must be on guard against drifting away from the truth they heard revealed in the Son. The Greek word for “drift away” occurs only here in the New Testament. There were believers in the audience of the writer of Hebrews that were in danger of reverting back to Judaism.
Since some converted Jews began to slowly drift back toward Judaism, the words “drift away” warned them against doing so. The words “drift away” form a nautical term for a ship drifting from the destination of reaching port due to high winds. It is important to hold a ship on course toward the harbor. A drifting ship carried by winds and currents will not reach the port. To be blown by every wind of doctrine is spiritual instability. To drift from the truth taught by God’s authorized agents is a dangerous thing.
All the wonders of Christ’s superiority of chapter 1 can be lost if we do not focus on who and what He is and has done.
Later in Hebrews the writer warned Christians that they had not grown in Christ as much as they should have (He 5:11-12). Most believers do not grow in the knowledge of what they believe. The Word of God does not intersect with their lives. It is as if it is hardly there. This is especially the case when it comes to allowing Christ to be the center of our lives. If we allow truth to drift away, then we put ourselves in spiritual danger.
PRINCIPLE:
The Word of God requires our full seriousness.
APPLICATION:
There are Christians who associate themselves with the truth that is in Jesus. They love to go to church and fellowship with believers. They may even love to hear about the wonder of who Christ is, yet they will not allow themselves to fully own all that He is and does in order for it to impact their lives. They profess truth but not possess it.
Christ Himself is the answer to all doubts about Him.
We have a fixed reference point when it comes to truth. Biblical truth does not move; it is absolute. We can count on it. If we chose to move away from it, we do it at our own peril. The Bible is not something we can treat with carelessness or indifference. We must get a firm grip on truth if we are going to live the Christian life properly (He 6:19). It is not possible to be certain about our faith without getting a firm hold on what God says in His Word.
There is a danger to drift from the faith, but there is a need to establish a safeguard to protect it. Christians must be keenly attentive to what God says in His Word. It is imperative for Christians to connect God’s message to what is going on in our lives. It is not enough to learn facts of the Bible; rather, it is necessary to accept exhortations and warnings so that we become true to our experience in life (He 13:22).
