Demas, collaborator of Paul, had deserted him loving this world

From March 16 to 22, 2004

THEME: Demas, collaborator of Paul, had deserted him loving this world 2 Timothy 4:10 How important is God for some people? It looks like not much. This is why they leave God’s path and take another path. Sadly, they walk away from the path of life and walk into the path of death. When we stop seeking God, we start to languish. It starts little by little if we don’t open our eyes. Let us not stop praying, congregate or seek God. Many things seem important, but at the end bear no fruit for this life or for eternal life with Jesus Christ. If we seek God in prayer we will obtain from the Father, and we will see our prayers answered asking in the name of Jesus Christ. We need to pray because life gets hard and sometimes surprisingly uncertain. Life is not simple, it is not a strong column where you can lean on. Life will not always come to embrace you with good things, but it can turn to destroy you. That is why Jesus said in Mathew 11:12, “the Kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” When life gets hard many blame God and this is a rebellious attitude. That is how they separate from God. Their hearts and minds get torpid. God is love and He always has details with us. God takes good care of us for we are loved with the greatest love. Where ever a Christian walks, God is watching over him. He always takes care of His children. But when a person wants to move away from God, one of the symptoms that appear is that they stay away from others. Like Demas, who separated from Paul and then from God. When a person converts and comes near to God, it is because they are tired of this world. They are tired of living in sin. Praise the Lord for He gave His life for our sins. As we come to Him, we cry out our wickedness and start walking through a new and right path with God. God throws away all our shameful sins into the bottom of the sea. Then with the help of the Holy Spirit we can resist temptation. But we should be careful of those who surround us, not all come from God. We should not fellowship with those who are carnal, but with who fears and reverence God. This sinful world and life try to seduce the saints, as done to Demas. He was Paul’s companion and collaborator. Philemon 1:24. He was close to Paul just like Luke, Marcus and Aristarchus. Paul was an elder, with gray hair and had a personal revelation of the highest God. He renounced to his sinful life to follow the Lord Jesus. But it looks like Demas thought in some moment of his life; I’m with Paul, but I also want to get close and enjoy the world. Two waters are not for the church of Mega Zoe, and being lukewarm either. Could Demas give himself to a world that didn’t love him, but would condemn him? Let us be careful with this world, for it offers you then it will come to collect with interest. Walking away from God is death. We are not for this world, we are a nation who has decided to love and follow the Lord until the end of our days. He who perseveres until the end will be saved. Nothing in this world can fill our spirits with joy. Should I love this world more than I love God? If we persist in holding on to this world, we will be miserable.

Paul said with sadness, “Demas has deserted me loving this world.” The Colossi church knew who Demas was, for he walked with Paul and raised their church. He was Paul’s collaborator, but in his heart, there were other intentions. Luke’s heart was transparent with Paul, but not Demas. Though Paul saw him as a friend and companion, Demas ended loving the world. I walk with those who are collaborators, like Demas, but some choose to leave God. Paul knew well the power of God, but Demas looked at the world from a distance just like Lot’s wife looked back to Sodom. Genesis19:26. Demas persisted in looking at what would be destroyed by the nature of evil. What Paul believed and defended has never disappeared. All worldly things produce pleasure for a moment, but after that it only brings judgment and punishment. Think; what sinful pleasure has given you a better life? Hebrew 12:13 says; “Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” God helps those who love Him. Where will God Almighty be if our faith is not active, and we are discouraged? Let us never lose our faith. Philemon is described by Paul as one who entirely is a dear friend and fellow worker. He met Paul and immediately converted to Christ. Philemon lodged missionaries and supplied their needs. He was a good example of the church, for believers are to collaborate with God’s will. As Philemon we deny ourselves because we are called to be faithful partners. That is why we will enter heaven with dignity. Paul was never forsaken by God, but Demas had lost that blessing. As Paul only one thing should move us and that is God’s will for us. In Demas heart there was perversity, wickedness. What made Demas trip? We don’t know, but it sure wasn’t good. Where do you have your personal interests buried? Let it be in the Kingdom of God. Paul was hurt when he wrote about Demas. He departed even after seeing God move and God’s power through Paul. Let this negative example warn and teach us. Proverbs 30:30 says; “a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing,” Let us be like the lion. Our encounter with God will fill us so we will never turn back. AMEN.