It is possible for Christians to become spiritually neglectful, caught up in prayerlessness, going for days without seeking God’s Word. Yes, the Bible clearly warns that it is possible for devoted believers to drift from Christ and it offers powerful warnings about guarding against falling asleep in the midnight hour: “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:1-3).
There are biblical examples of once-strong churches that ended up drifting. In Revelation, we read of the Ephesian church grieving Christ by drifting away from their first love (Revelation 2:4). Likewise, the Laodicean church drifted into lukewarmness (3:15), and the church at Sardis drifted into spiritual death (3:2). Paul warns the believers in Galatia that they had wandered from the victory of Christ’s cross and had turned back to works of the flesh (see Galatians 1:6-7).
Paul warns, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15).
How can you guard against drifting from Christ and neglecting “so great a salvation”? Paul tells us to “give heed” to the things we have heard. Speed reading through God’s Word may give one a feeling of accomplishment, but the more important thing is that you “hear” what you read with spiritual ears. Meditate on the Word so that it is heard in your heart.
Paul says, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). He is encouraging them, “As lovers of Christ, test yourself; take a spiritual inventory of your walk with Jesus.” I encourage you to do the same. How is your communion with Christ? Are you guarding it with all diligence?