Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

To "drift away" is, in scripture, like a boat drifting from it's mooring and floating away down a river. In Acts 27:32 it is used in a literal sense, with the soldiers cutting away a lifeboat and letting it drift away on the ocean.

In other places it is used metaphorically (Col 1:23, Heb 2:1, Psalm 119:10).

Drifting away is not outright rebellion or defection from God, but is the accidental slipping away which occurs when someone neglects to keep Christ as their anchor. While this is not a hopeless scenario, as Christ seeks after us when we wander or drift (Matt 18:12), it is a dangerous place to be in. The longer we ignore or don't notice the drifting, the farther we are getting from our foundation in Christ. If we are drifting away, then we are ignoring the salvation promised by Christ (Heb 2:2-3) and our lives will not be bearing good fruit (II Pet 1:3-11). The final consequence of unchecked drifting is a complete shipwreck (I Tim 1:18-20), but this only occurs if someone rejects faith entirely and refuses to repent (Jer 8:3-6, II Pet 2:22).

So, what are some things that cause us to drift away?

#1 Ignoring, even forgetting that Christ forgave us our sins (II Pet 1:3-11):

-This happens when we harden our hearts in unforgiveness towards others (Matt 6:14-15). 
-This can happen when we do not actively confess our sins in community with other believers and to Christ (I John 1:8-10). 
-This can happen when we believe grace is permission to sin (Rom 6:15-16). 
-This happens when we seek justification through our own works vs. The finished work of Christ (Rom 3:19-31).
- This happens when we lose trust in the gospel and the assurance of God's promise of eternal life to those who believe (Heb 2:1-4) 

#2 Neglecting pursuing eternal things, instead chasing things of the world
-This can happen when we consistently declare evil for good and good evil, such as declaring our own sin good (Rom 3:5-8, Is 5:20-21).
- This can happen when we let trials overcome us, instead of enduring until the end (Rom 12:21, I John 5:3-5, James 1:12, Mark 4:16-17). Or, in short, preferring evil over affliction (Job 36:18-21)
- This happens when we are charmed by what the world has to offer (Mark 4:18, I Tim 6:6-10, I Tim 6:17-19, II Pet 2:14-16)
- This happens when we long for sin rather than being led by the spirit (Heb 3:13-14, Psalms 36:1-3, Rom 7:14-25)
- This can happen if we ignore our own part in the body of Christ (Eph 4:17-32)

#3 Listening to and embracing false teaching
Jude 1:12, Jer 8:8-9, I Tim 6:20-21, John 7:18, Mark 13:22, II Pet 2:1-22


We are constantly reminded in scripture to evaluate where we are standing. Are we firmly on the rock of Christ? Are we aimlessly drifting down the river? Are we purposefully running into evil? Etc.

As for specific practices and sins, it is quite simple: Do you know action X to be a sin? Are you feeling convicted by the Holy Spirit? Have you prayed about this action/consulted God? Are you ignoring God? Are you acting for God's glory our your own comfort and pleasure? Etc.

Take any action or belief and run it through Christ. If it is good for bearing moral fruit, then keep it. If it bears bad fruit or none at all, reject it. We will grow in this area and in discernment over time (II Pet 1:3-11) so long as we are abiding with Christ. If we do not feel we are growing, then we should 'check our moorings' and see where we are standing and what we are tied to.

October 12 2014 • 5 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

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