Have We Drifted Away from the Gospel?
We don’t drift on purpose. Nobody sets out in the morning thinking, “Today I’ll take a few small steps away from Jesus.” But Hebrews 2 warns us:
“We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2:1)
The picture is of a boat quietly slipping its moorings. No drama, no splash, just a slow, steady drift until it’s miles from where it started. That’s the danger the writer of Hebrews is addressing. The risk isn’t outright rejection of the gospel; it’s neglect. And neglect leads to drift.
1. Have We Drifted?
The warning is aimed at believers. People who had heard the gospel, believed it, and started out strong. Yet somewhere along the way, they’d lost focus.
Drift doesn’t usually come in the form of big public denials. It sneaks in quietly:
when relevance matters more than faithfulness,
when cultural acceptance feels safer than standing on God’s Word,
when we soften the sharp edges of the gospel so people won’t be offended.
The problem is that every time we trim a bit off the truth to make it more palatable, we untie one more rope holding us secure. Before long, we’re adrift, wondering why the gospel no longer feels alive, why God seems silent, and why the Spirit’s power is missing.
Let me ask you honestly: if you compared your life, your faith, your preaching, and your expectations today with what you see in the book of Acts, would they look the same? Or is there evidence of drift?
2. Where Are the Signs?
Hebrews 2 doesn’t stop with the warning. It pushes us further. Verse 3 reminds us that this great salvation was “declared by the Lord” and then attested by those who heard Him. But here’s the kicker:
“God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.” (Hebrews 2:4)
The gospel was not just spoken, it was confirmed by God Himself. Every time the message was preached, heaven put its stamp on it. People were healed, demons fled, the dead were raised, and the Spirit gave gifts to prove the message was true.
So here’s the uncomfortable question: why don’t we see this more often today?
Now, I know there are places in the world where the gospel is exploding with signs and wonders. In parts of Africa, Asia, and South America, testimonies are pouring in. But in much of the Western church, we’re left scratching our heads. Why not us?
Could it be that we’ve drifted from the very gospel God promised to empower? The Spirit isn’t sent to endorse our clever presentations, our carefully branded churches, or our attempts to look relevant. He comes to glorify Jesus and confirm His gospel. If what we preach isn’t the raw, unapologetic, Spirit-filled gospel of Christ crucified and risen, should we really be surprised if there’s no power?
Time to Pay Attention Again
The writer of Hebrews says the answer isn’t despair, it’s urgency: pay much closer attention. Fix your eyes back on Jesus. Hold fast to what you’ve heard. Preach the gospel without trimming the edges.
Because here’s the promise: when we do, God Himself will bear witness. Not because we’re impressive, but because the message is. The gospel is still the power of God for salvation. And God still loves to confirm it with signs that point to Him.
Maybe the real question isn’t, “Why doesn’t God move with power today?” but, “Have we moved away from the gospel He promised to empower?”
