Jason Soto

"For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away." Hebrews 2:1

The owners of these boats ensure that their vessels are securely fastened to the dock. They use specially designed ropes attached to metal fixtures in the marina that can withstand the forces of water movement. Boat owners use multiple lines to stabilize the boat and prevent it from drifting forward, backward, or sideways.

Why do these boat owners pay special attention to how their crafts fasten to the marina? Without careful attention, your boat will drift away into the ocean waters. If you care about your boat, you will pay close attention to how it is attached!

Similarly, Christians must carefully consider how their daily lives connect with Christ. If a boat owner takes such care to ensure the security of their boat, how much more should we be aware of our lives in Jesus? Hebrews 2:1 gives us guidance on how to guard against spiritual drifting.

Hebrews 2:1 states that Christians should "pay attention" to what they have heard about Jesus. The term "pay attention" is an action statement. It's a verb that means being concerned about or applying oneself to something. [1] 

Christians must apply themselves to the message about Christ. The message leading up to Hebrews 2 is all about Jesus's greatness. God has spoken to us through Jesus (Heb. 1:2). Jesus is God's exact expression of his nature to humanity and the radiance of his glory (Heb. 1:3). Jesus is above all of creation and rules supreme (Heb. 1:13). Therefore, considering who Jesus is, apply his message to your life.

The gospel is not a one-time message that we nod our heads to and walk away from. The message about Jesus is a vital daily connection. We must carefully ensure that our thoughts and life patterns firmly connect to Christ, our firm foundation.

A line in the famous hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" says, "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love." The hymn writer expressed a reality within himself that Hebrews 2:1 describes as our tendency to "drift away."

The inclination within humanity to drift away from God is throughout the Scriptures. After seeing God miraculously deliver them from Egypt, the people of Israel still fell into idolatry by worshipping a golden calf (Ex. 32). Despite God miraculously gifting Solomon with wisdom and a covenant relationship, King Solomon still allowed his heart to turn to other gods (1 Kings 11:1–13). Even though Peter knew Jesus as the Messiah and saw his multiple miracles, Peter still allowed his fear to cause him to deny Jesus (Matt. 26:69–75).

As Christians, how can we guard ourselves against drifting away? We need daily intentionality in our walk with Jesus. Like the boat owners at the marina, we need to check our connection to Christ carefully. 

• How does God's Word affect your day? Do you meditate on Christ, keeping his Word in your heart? 
• How is prayer embedded in your daily life? Do you pray with a thankful heart, seeking his will in your thoughts and actions?
• How is your connection with the body of Christ? Do you fellowship with believers and love those whom he loves?

Drifting is subtle and can happen over time, but it can have a damaging effect. Like the church in Ephesus, Christians can "abandon the love they had at first" (Rev. 2:4). The answer for them and us is repentance, careful attention to the gospel, and applying it to our daily lives.

Christian, observe your anchor points daily and make the necessary adjustments. Meditate on the good news of Jesus. Remember how he changed your life, and walk today with confident faith and good works as a child of God.

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[1] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 879–880.

"For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin." Psalm 1:6

Construction workers closed my street to traffic. It is inconvenient for those who need to drive down the street. But if one were to break the barrier of the street closure and plow ahead, they wouldn't get far. There is an enormous hole in the middle of the street. The street closure is for the public good. It prevents cars from falling into the large hole.

Similarly, God has set up barriers in life for our good. God wants us to be aware and obedient to the warnings along the path. Those barriers are for our protection and spiritual health. He has lit up the path and given us clear instructions through his word. He is watchful and present, constantly aware of our direction. 

The Bible describes the path of people in two ways: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. The way of the wicked is like those plowing straight through the street closure, heading toward the ditch. There is no awareness of God's presence or his barriers. The world is spiritually blind toward its poisoned path and destruction that lies ahead.

The cross is the most outstanding example of God's awareness of our condition. God has made the way of the righteous available to humanity through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is the starting point of a course correction to heaven. 

But God has not called Christians to wander along the pathway as if they are still blind. He calls Christians to live empowered by the Holy Spirit, dependent on him for strength and instruction. Christians should live with intentionality and clear vision. The Bible describes one who focuses his mind and heart on God's instruction as "like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in season" (Psalm 1:3). When you meditate on God's word and instruction for your life, there will be fruit in due time.

God's awareness of our present condition is comforting for Christians. Meditate on God's watchfulness, being aware that he is always present. Our sins and our struggles are laid bare before him. Live a surrendered life today, dependent on his grace, mercy, and protection.