Don’t Go The Way Of Demas

   In 2 Timothy 4:10 , Paul makes this statement regarding his friend Demas, “for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica….”

These are perhaps some of the saddest words that one can find in the New Testament. The apostle Paul had been totally abandoned by one who showed such promise because of the lure of the things of the world. From the Scriptures, we know that Demas was once a strong member of the Lord’s church. In fact, in Philemon 1:24, Paul refers to him as a “fellow worker.” We know that he was with Paul when he was imprisoned in Rome (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:10). But, at some point, he decided there was more allure in the world than there was to suffer with Paul for being a Christian. Some say that this verse is not necessarily teaching that he left the faith. However, a careful examination of the text, says that Demas not only had “forsaken” Paul, but that he “loved this present world.” This use of language indicates two things happened in Demas’ life that were not pleasing to God. First, he lost his focus on what was important (heavenly things – Colossians 3:1-2), and second, he turned again to the world for his strength and comfort.

John infers that Demas sinned in “loving this present world” by saying, “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world, for if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him,” (1 John 2:15). Like the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:4, Demas had left his first love, focusing his affections on worldly pursuits. Unfortunately, the love of worldly things leads many to forsake their brethren and ultimately forsake God. Think about the Jews who believed in Christ. When Jesus healed the blind man in John 1:9, his parents were questioned, and would not reveal their true belief because of fear of losing status among the Jews (John 9:21-23). The leading Jews who believed on Christ would not confess him for the same reason (John 12:42). Their status among their Jewish brethren was more important to them than being right with God.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:37, “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Brethren, nothing is more important in this world than our relationship with Christ. The things of this world, including the approval of our family, mean nothing if we do not have our Lord’s approval in what we believe and do. In forsaking Paul, Demas ultimately deemed the things of this world more important than his relationship with his Lord. How tragic a decision for one who had such a promising future in serving the Lord.

Eric