Pearls of Great Value

 

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1 

 “This is why it is so crucial that we be all the more engaged and attentive to the truths that we have heard so that we do not drift off course.” Hebrews‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭TPT‬‬

 

Why must we pay attention to what we have heard from the Lord and from His Word? So that we will not drift away. Think about the word drift. The dictionary defines it as being carried slowly by a current of air or water; a continuous slow movement from one place to another. Hebrews uses this word to explain to us what happens when we aren’t paying attention. We slowly get moved off course. I have this picture in my mind of a fisherman out on the water in his favorite fishing spot. If he intends to stay at the same spot, he’ll have to pay attention that he doesn’t slowly drift away. He’ll have to set an anchor. If he gets distracted it won’t take long and he’ll look up and see that he’s way off course.

The faith life is the same way. As believers we really don’t get off course in one big swoop. No, it’s usually decline by degrees. The Godly lifestyle is in the details of every step you take. It means to stay steadfast, every day. Start making Godly decisions in small areas and eventually you’ll see a big difference over time in the big picture. But, it’s when we begin to make careless decisions and think that this doesn’t matter and that doesn’t mean anything...that is when the drifting starts to take place. 

Paying attention. It literally means to apply your mind to a thing. Do you have a focus point? Is there anything that you want to accomplish? You pay attention to that, right? Well, why can’t we apply this to our walk with God? Couldn’t we be more observant in how we walk out our faith and take care in the decisions we make daily, so that it lines up with the truths of Gods Word? We have to be on guard. That’s what paying attention is. To guard against those “currents”  that will take us off course. To watch out for the “winds of air” that blow empty deceitful words so that we will not be carried away. 

As soon as we let currents of this world drive us, we drift away from the course of our faith. Faith is active. It doesn’t go to and fro in indecisiveness. And where faith is active and working, drifting will not take place. What drives you? What’s the force behind you, driving you and moving you to action? Is it faith? You know, it’s not enough to just believe. James 2:14 says, what good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? And in verse 17 says, “faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” Faith is active! It has its eyes open and feet walking and hands working. It constantly applies itself to every work and perseveres in every trial. It’s at attention. All the time. And if  it’s not faith that is the force behind you, you’re going to end up off course. 

 

Fill up on the Word. Get your gas tank full so that you may go places. If the Word level in you drops to empty, your faith level will also drop. And soon you’ll begin to suffer defeat in areas where you’ve already had victory in. That’s the price of drifting away from the Word: defeat. 

I encourage all of us, when life is going well to not just ride the tide. But to dig deeper and concentrate, give heed to becoming stronger in the Lord. Let us keep a firm grip on that which we have heard from Him, for those truths are life itself and quicken our hearts and minds. Let us become stronger in the Lord, so that not only will we be anchored and steadfast, but will also be able to pray and meet the needs of those around us. 

So we must be more careful to follow what we were taught. Then we will not be pulled away from the truth. Hebrews 2:1 ICB