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For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
Hebrews 2: 1
I want to highlight today the warning about ‘spiritual drifting’ and relay the Helps Study Notes on this word DRIFT. ~
3901/pararreō ("gradually drift away") means to "lapse" into spiritual defeat, describing how we slowly move away from our moorings in Christ. Indeed "spiritual drift" is common – slowly departing from God's best by settling for mediocrity by substituting our own beliefs
Reflection: Most spiritual disasters are not from "blow-outs" . . . just slow-leaks
"Spiritual drifting" happens to many after they "shed the big sins" – but go on living in the flesh with "respectable" self-government. This is never acceptable to God (Is 64:6); indeed, anything done outside of faith (God's persuasion) is sin (Ro 14:23).
Reflection: Delayed obedience is still disobedience, and partial obedience is still sin!
The past few weeks we’ve looked at ‘whatever is not of faith is sin’ and then ‘men’s hearts failing them from fear’. Understanding our need to stay rooted in Him, His word and presence, today, we find our admonition from the writer of Hebrews.
Currently, in my studies on Hebrews, I am enjoying William Barclay’s Daily Bible Study on the book of Hebrews. I would like to offer his explanation of this word.
“We have two key words in this verse prosechein and pararrein. We have taken prosechein to mean ‘to pay attention to, which is one of its commonest meanings. Pararrein is a word of many meanings. It is used of something flowing or slipping past; it can be used of a ring that has slipped off the finger; of a particle of food that has slipped down the wrong way; of a topic that has slipped into the conversation; of a point which has escaped someone in the course of an argument……… It is regularly used of something which has carelessly or thoughtlessly been allowed to become lost.
But both of these words have also a nautical sense. Prosechein can mean to moor a ship; and pararrein can be used of a ship which has been carelessly allowed to slip past a harbour or a haven becaue the mariner has forgotten to allow for the wind or the current or the tide. So, then, this first verse could be very vividly translated: “Therefore, we must more eagerly anchor our lives to the things that we have been taught lest the ship of life drift past the harbour and be wrecked”. It is a vivid picture of a ship drifting to destruction because the pilot sleeps. “
I think we can all call to mind the story of the ten virgins, the five wise keeping sufficient oil to light their lamps upon the announcement of the bridegroom coming and the five foolish ones, who have neglected to provide for themselves enough for the moment and are shut out as they try to gather but are too late.
We are not to be like those caught unaware!
‘But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.' 1 Thessalonians 5: 4
‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life— and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth.…’ Luke 21:33-34
‘I have told you these things so that you will not stumble or be caught off guard and fall away’. John 16:1 AMPC
For this reason (Hebrews further exhorts) because the message we have heard was declared first by the Lord, attested by others, confirmed with signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His will; for this reason, if (and it did) every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution under the law, how shall we, under the new covenant, escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
There is a reason we are to live daily feeding and abiding in Him. When Jesus returns He returns as the righteous judge.
We must therefore, with very special intensity, pay attention to the things we have heard so we do not drift!