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

What is Spiritual Drift

Everyone grows out of, or slowly moves away from, interests, habits, and hobbies in their lives over time. An eight-year-old who loves playing with building blocks or dolls will eventually trade in their stuffed giraffes for make-up or a game console by the time they are twelve. People change, their interests change, they drift in and out of various likes, dislikes, and pastimes.

Is this a bad quality?

In relation to pastimes and trivial matters, I would say no. But in relation to the Gospel and the Christian faith, I would say absolutely.

You see, the audience of this letter was under immense persecution from the Roman government, as the letter was likely written during the reign of Emperor Nero. Due to this persecution, these believers were tempted not only to drift away from the Gospel and all that they had been taught, but were tempted to abandon the faith and apostatize! Consequently, the author of Hebrews, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes these storm-tossed believers a timely warning against spiritual drifting.

The Antidote to Drifting

For the believers addressed in the book of Hebrews, it was likely their hardships and persecutions that led to them neglecting the Gospel. This is ironic as the Gospel and the teaching they had heard was the very cure they needed in their situation!

This is precisely why the author of Hebrews exhorts his listeners to pay attention to what they have heard! And what is it that these believers have heard? The Gospel! The antidote to drifting and negligence in the Christian Life is Gospel alertness and intentionality.