Sadly, the Christian world is filled with stories of men and women who once professed faith in Christ but later walked away. These stories are sobering, not because they are rare, but because they often begin in ways that seem so familiar.

Charles Templeton was a gifted evangelist, a contemporary and friend of Billy Graham. By all outward measures, he had everything—platform, influence, theological training, and apparent conviction. Few would have imagined that he would abandon the faith. Yet over time, intellectual doubt—particularly concerning creation and the reliability of Scripture—began to erode his confidence. Unable to find satisfactory answers, those doubts grew until he rejected Christianity altogether and identified as an agnostic. Near the end of his life, Templeton expressed deep regret over walking away from the faith. One cannot help but echo the hope that he possessed the faith of Peter rather than the apostasy of Judas.

Joshua Harris tells a different but equally sobering story. He pastored a large church and exerted tremendous influence over a generation of young Christians. His ministry shaped conversations about dating, relationships, and purity for years. But disillusionment with what he came to view as a legalistic and unloving church culture—particularly in matters related to sexuality—led to deep regret over his public influence. Eventually, he divorced his wife and walked away from Christianity altogether. For all his visible ministry success, he failed to continue drawing near to Christ.

Bart Ehrman grew up within conservative evangelicalism and once held a high view of Scripture. Over time, academic skepticism—fueled by textual criticism, questions surrounding the historical Jesus, and the problem of suffering—overtook his faith. What began as an intellectual inquiry became intellectual dominance. His pursuit of knowledge eclipsed a living relationship with Christ. In his own words, he no longer believes there is a God of any sort.

What unites these stories is not simply doubt, disappointment, or pain. It is a gradual loss of confidence—confidence in Christ, confidence in the gospel, and confidence in the gathered people of God. Faith was not abruptly rejected; it slowly eroded.

A Letter Written for Drifting Believers

The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to believers standing at precisely this crossroads. These Christians were weary, pressured, and tempted to drift away from Christ—not through open rebellion, but through slow neglect. They were facing social pressure, persecution, and the temptation to return to Judaism, a system that felt familiar and socially acceptable.

In response, the author of Hebrews does not begin with threats or emotional appeals. He begins with confidence—confidence grounded in what Christ has accomplished and sustained through faith and fellowship.

Hebrews 10:19–25 stands as a climactic pastoral appeal:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…”

This confidence is not self-generated. It is purchased by the blood of Christ. Access to God is no longer restricted, symbolic, or mediated through repeated sacrifices. A new and living way has been opened through the torn flesh of Christ. And we do not merely have access—we have a great priest over the house of God, one who intercedes for us even now.

The Call: Draw Near, Hold Fast, Persevere Together

Because of these truths, the writer issues three exhortations that shape the Christian life:

• Draw near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith

• Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering

• Consider one another, encouraging love, good deeds, and faithful gathering

These are not optional spiritual disciplines. They are the God-ordained means by which true faith perseveres. Hebrews makes clear that genuine faith is not merely professed—it is preserved. The warning passages throughout the letter do not undermine assurance but strengthen it. They expose the danger of drifting, hardening, shrinking back, and refusing to listen to God’s voice.

Hebrews teaches us that Christ is better—better than angels, Moses, Joshua, the priesthood, the old covenant, and the sacrificial system. To turn away from Him is not merely to change directions; it is to abandon the only source of salvation, security, and access to God.

A Needed Word for Our Time

The message of Hebrews is desperately needed today. We live in an age of intellectual pressure, cultural hostility, and growing disillusionment with the church. Many are not angrily rejecting Christ; they are simply drifting away.

Hebrews calls us back to confidence—confidence in Christ’s finished work, confidence in His present intercession, and confidence in God’s faithfulness to keep His people. Therefore, believers must not turn back, grow weary, or isolate themselves. We are called to draw near to Christ, hold fast to the gospel, and persevere together until the day of His return.

The way forward is not novelty, reinvention, or retreat. It is Christ—and He is enough.