The Danger of Drifting
by Margaret Silvester
I am currently reading a book which highlights the deception behind some of the controversial teachings and practices in the Church today. In every case the supremacy of Jesus is compromised, and yet those who follow such teachings rarely recognise this because something is on offer which appeals to the old nature.
Today’s text was originally written to first century Christians who were finding it hard to live out their new faith day by day. They had experienced the truth that there is in Jesus and yet were tempted to compromise this with some form of Judaism. They were warned that failure to hold unswervingly to the truth carries with it the danger of drifting away.
The imagery is of a boat eased from its moorings by the pull of the tide drifting away into a dangerous sea. The writer is saying that we cannot allow the great truths about Jesus to be lost. Unless we give ourselves to them we can drift along carried by alien currents into dangerous waters, thus losing something infinitely precious.
Drifting is deceptive. It’s not done deliberately. It’s seldom a sudden process. It occurs slowly and is, therefore, hardly recognisable. Drifting requires no effort. It’s a slow process by which we are taken off course from God’s ways and the truth of Scripture, and it can end in disaster. Drifting is always downstream taking us away from God not nearer to Him. You never drift upstream.
Not many Christians deliberately turn away from God, but many drift away. If we lose our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit we can find ourselves drawn into attractive teachings and practices that appeal to the senses, and yet are a deviation from the real truth. Instead of remaining anchored to Christ we become drifters.
The uncompromising truth about Jesus must grip our lives so that we live in Him day by day, and His Spirit living within us guides us into all truth.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the truth that there is in Jesus. Thank You for all He did when He died and rose again and ascended into heaven. Please fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit and give to me the gift of discernment, that I will continually walk in Your truth and remain anchored in Jesus. Amen.
Margaret Silvester had a career as a teacher prior to being called into full time Christian Ministry with her husband, David, in 1986. They were involved in establishing a Healing Ministry in the local church and Margaret has a passion to see lost and wounded people found and restored. She and her husband joined the Ellel Ministries teaching and ministry team in 2000 after a clear call from God. Margaret`s book "Stepping Stones to the Father Heart of God" has recently been published.
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