Drift

Is it possible to drift away from the Word of God? Is it possible that you could have drifted away and not know it? The Hebrew writer gives the church a warning against drifting away from the truth of God’s Word. 

Hebrews 2:1-2 (NLT) 

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 

The Apostle Paul gives a similar warning about drifting to the church at Colosse. 

Colossians 1:23 (NLT) 

But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it. 

The idea of drifting is that a person has slowly moved away from their previous position regarding the Word of Truth. Many of the church debates of our time are over issues that the church stood strong against 50 years ago. 

50 years ago, the church didn’t struggle with the truth about gay marriage. 

50 years ago, the church didn’t struggle with the issue of gender identity. 

And yet, many churches now struggle with the truth regarding these social issues of our time. What happened? The church has drifted from the Word of Truth. Truth does not evolve. Truth is constant and does not drift. If it was sin 50 years ago, it’s still sin today. 

The world wants the Word of Truth to evolve and adjust itself to the will of man in each generation. But Jesus tells us that the Word he has given us will actually cause the world to hate us because the Word doesn’t drift or adapt to the world. This hatred and pressure from the world will cause many to drift away from the Word of Truth to keep from offending those around them. 

John 17:14 (NLT) 

I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 

What’s at stake here in this drifting issue? Everything! 

Hebrews 2:1-2 (NLT) 

So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose. 

This is a serious warning from God about drifting away from the Word of Truth. Jesus gives a similar stern warning to the Church at Ephesus in the Revelation. 

Revelation 2:4-5 (NLT) 

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 

Repentance is the key to drifting. Look how far you’ve fallen. Look how far you’ve drifted from the Word of Truth and turn around. Repentance restores our broken relationship with God. Repentance is the cure to the drift. 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper