July 31, 2014.

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
(Hebrews 2:1-4)

There have been many times in my walk that I would consider myself to be drifting from Christ. These aren’t necessarily the times where I am doing things that I shouldn’t or not really trying to follow Christ as I classify those points in a different category. Drifting is more of a gradual moving away from the things that you should be doing. Though I may not be living in sin, I’m also not living for Christ. Times where my bible study slows to a crawl or my prayer life becomes all but non-existent. My mind is not on things above, but on this material world and the cares that go along with it.

Drifting is more serious than it seems. It supports an attitude of “I’m good enough” or even “I have done a lot for Christ, but right now I have other important things to attain to.” I do not think that this is the life that Christ has called us to. If we are focused on the material above the spiritual, then can we truly be called sons of God?

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
(John 1:12-13)

But what is the danger in drifting? Whereas I think drifting in and of itself does not lend itself to a healthy Christian walk, I think there is an even greater consequence that comes in the end. Apathy. In my mind, apathy is one of the most dangerous conditions that a Christian, or anyone for that matter, can develop. I would rather talk to someone who is totally against me or my way of thinking than to someone who is apathetic. I can discuss things with someone who has passion, but to the apathetic, all discussion is but words. One of the churches that John was told to write to in Revelation had this problem:

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
(Revelation 3:14-17)

If you have studied the letters to the churches in Revelation, you know that there we few that were greeted with approval. Sure, there were positive things to say with some of the churches, but the final judgement on all but one was basically “get your act together, or I’m going to come and remove you.” Laodicea fit this mold. Their problem was apathy. Notice what is said about them though- they thought they were rich and needed nothing. That’s what apathy does. It sets in and we don’t even realize what has happened. We’re fine, we have everything under control. But we don’t realize that we are “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.”

So what can we do? I think the first step, as with many problems, is to recognize when we are apathetic. This will take regular self evaluations, as we see that it can creep in without us knowing or feeling it. Are we studying? Are we praying? When was the last time we talked to someone about Jesus? The second step, then, is much like the first. Once we realize what is going on, we must not make excuses for what we are doing. “Well, I just haven’t had enough time…” What are we really saying when we say that?

Once we know the problem and stop making excuses, we can get back to doing what we need to do. Get back to reading, praying, praising. We can get back walking the Christian walk. Apathy is a problem, but it is one that can be overcome. So now the question is on the table:

Have you drifted?

Suggested Daily Reading: Hebrews 1-2, Revelation 2-3.

The Lord bless you.

-Walter