1/19/17
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present
world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…” II Timothy 4:10
Dear Congregation,
This verse has
always stabbed at me in a particularly aggressive way. Here is the Apostle
Paul, dwelling in a most miserable prison, awaiting his death. When he
considers his friends and loved ones, those who have supported him over the
years, he must also think of those who have forsaken him. Demas, mentioned
elsewhere in good report, has now left. But he did not leave for other
business, or other ministry, or even because he no longer liked Paul. He left
because he loved this world. Why shouldn’t he? Paul was in prison and about to
die, other Christians had gained nothing from their faith. Demas may have found
that the Gospel was not making him any friends. Perhaps his children were also
mocked and lonely? Ministry with the Apostle just became too sad of an
existence and too great of a burden. So he left Paul in prison and went and did
his own thing.
I have often
thought about what Demas’s side of the story would have been. I can imagine
that he would have still professed faith in Christ. Perhaps he still worshiped
with a group of professed believers on Sunday. He may have said that he did not
abandon his faith, just the strict and narrow lifestyle of Paul. Perhaps Paul’s
philosophy was just too rigid for him and he wanted to please more of the Roman
and Greek public. I can imagine that Demas surrounded himself with people who
claimed Christianity, but never wanted to offend those who did not. He loved
this world and he wanted to have all that this world offered socially. So he
left the Apostle and his narrowness.
I fear we
are all this illustration of Demas at heart. We all love this world too much.
It is so full of sensory appeal. Its gratification can be so immediate. When in
worship on Sunday, I fear we think about this world and what we are going to do
next. When in prayer, I fear we think about this world and its requirements.
When reading the Scriptures I fear we want it to end so we can get back to “reality”.
Worst of all, when faithfulness to the whole Word of God causes us to loose out
on a life experience, a relationship, or money, I fear that we like Demas may
forsake the truth. Take note of this man Demas. He is recorded in the
Scriptures as a warning. His end was perhaps worse than we know. Though he
gained temporary comfort, experience, and favor, he lost his soul. What can a
person give in exchange for his soul? Therefore beloved, endure harness as a
good soldier of Jesus Christ, finish the course, keep the faith, keep the devil
angry, hold the fort.
In Christ,
Pastor Basile
