Hebrews 2:1, New International Version

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

The writer of Hebrews gives us a sober warning at the beginning of chapter two: “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (v. 1). It’s a vivid picture—faith isn’t something we can coast through. If we are not intentional about holding fast to the truth of Christ, the natural current of life will carry us away. Drifting doesn’t happen all at once—it happens slowly, almost unnoticed, until we realize we’ve moved far from where we intended to be. That’s why we are called to anchor ourselves in the gospel daily.

The message of salvation is too important to ignore. The writer reminds us that if the law delivered through angels carried consequences when disobeyed, how much more serious is it to neglect the message that has come through the Son Himself? This isn’t just about missing out on blessings—it’s about neglecting the very gift of salvation that God has offered us through Christ. To treat it lightly is to risk our souls.

What makes this warning even more powerful is the way the gospel has been confirmed. It was first spoken by the Lord Jesus, then testified by those who heard Him directly, and further confirmed by God Himself through signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit (v. 3–4). Our faith doesn’t rest on vague ideas or myths—it rests on the living Christ, witnessed by countless lives and sealed by God’s own power. We have every reason to be confident in the truth of this message.

The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are we paying careful attention? Are we grounding our hearts daily in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with God’s people? Or are we letting distractions, busyness, and complacency pull us away little by little? Hebrews 2 reminds us that drifting is real, but so is the anchor we have in Christ.

So let us hold fast. Let’s not take for granted the salvation that has been revealed so clearly and confirmed so powerfully. Instead, let us cling to Jesus with intention and gratitude, trusting that He will keep us secure when we set our hearts firmly on Him.

(All scripture quotations in this article are from the New International Version)