REMEMBER OUR BROTHER DEMAS

 

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there comes a falling away first (from the faith), and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (Amplified)

 

TIME OR ETERNITY

 

Today’s blog is a little more serious because all around us, we hear messages not congruent or in harmony to what was passed down from the Apostles of old. Some are preaching a message of “Eat Drink and be Merry” because all is well and there are no consequences to our actions.” On the other hand, there is a message filled with fear, hell, and damnation with little hope for the lost or sinner. But which one is correct?

 

Over the past 40 years, I got a chance to experience a wonderful and loving Father but also one who is holy, righteous, and just. He loves us but He hates sin and the flesh. So, in love He chastens and corrects us when we disobey or walk after the dictates of the flesh. Today, I want to share a story of our brother Demas, who longed for this world’s comfort and pleasures so he abandoned his faith and love for Jesus Christ his Lord.

 

Paul had a co-laborer in the faith, named Demas. Paul fathered, trained, loved, and encouraged Demas from a baby believer until he was mature enough in Christ to spread the gospel along with Paul. He gave himself to God and ministered to the needs of his brethren.

 

• Demas came from a very wealthy family and grew up with the aristocrats of his day.
• Demas heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and left his family and old lifestyle to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
• Demas spent many years with Paul sharing the gospel and faced persecution, tribulations, difficulties, and sufferings (physically and emotionally) as all disciples of Christ experienced.
• Demas is mentioned positively by Paul in the book of Philemon.

 

Over the years of serving Christ, Demas grew weary, frustrated, and tired of fulfilling the purpose for which He was called. So, Demas returned home to his old life and abandoned his relationship with Christ and with his brethren.

 

2 Timothy 4: 9-10 Paul is grieving and shares his heart. (Amplified)

 Make every effort to come to me soon. ¹⁰ For Demas has deserted me for love of this present world and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens [has gone] to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Some translations states- forsaken me, also means to abandon, leave helpless, let one down. Why? For the LOVE OF THIS PRESENT WORLD.

For the Love of This Present World

I John 2:15-17 Admonishes us (Urges us seriously)

¹⁵ Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.

¹⁶ For all that is in the world, (lust-strong desires or passions)

• the lust of the flesh – What makes the flesh happy, what makes the flesh feel good
• the lust of the eyes – The American Dream, possessions I want to make me happy (happy family, house, cars, money, pleasures, sports, jewelry, clothes, phones, gadgets, things and more things)
• the boastful pride of life– What I want to be in life, to be successful, my position, my title, my accomplishments, how much money I make, who I know, POPULAR, GREAT, NUMBER 1, WELL LIKED IS NOT from the Father, BUT IS FROM THE WORLD. ¹⁷ The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

 

The Seed of Lusts for the world was planted by the enemy IN Adam and Eve in the Garden, remember in Genesis 3:1-6. The serpent seduced Eve in the same three areas:

• Eve saw the tree and thought it would be good for food
• Eve saw that the tree was pleasant for the eyes
• Eve was told eat from this tree and it would make one WISE (be like God)

 

Eve was deceived and Adam joined her in disobedience. And, in Adam through the flesh, we all were lured to eat daily from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil to enjoy the pleasures and mindset of getting what we want outside of Christ’s Life.

 

Even though Adam and Eve were snared, our Lord Jesus came to break the power and stronghold of the enemy in our minds through the flesh. He too had to be tempted and defeat the enemy that ensnared us. The Bible said that Jesus was tempted in all points like we were, yet without sin.

 

Luke 4:2-4 Jesus tempted in the wilderness to sin in the same three areas:

• Eat this bread while the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness to fast. Jesus spoke only what His Father had said: It is written…
• Look at all the kingdoms of the world that belong to me just bow down and I will share them with you. Jesus spoke only what His Father had said: It is written…
• Attacked His deity and His position… if you be? Jesus spoke only what His Father had said: It is written…

 

Our Lord broke the power of the eyes and flesh in our lives. He instructed us to walk with Him in the Spirit and we will not ever have to obey its passions and desires. We are Free to love and walk with Him!

 

Whatever ever happen to Demas? Historians wrote, when Demas returned home to Thessalonica, he enjoyed the pleasures once again with his wealthy family, friends, and the lifestyle he was accustomed to. But he was not content spiritually, the gifts of leading and teaching others were still present within Him. Demas became a pagan priest in the temple serving another god. Was Demas still saved? The Bible said, “ They went out from us because they were never of us; for had they been of us they would have remained with us.” 1 John 2:19

 

Please remember, this life is fleeting, just temporary all that we know and see is passing away. JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ETERNAL LIFE NOW AND FOREVER MORE! ENJOY HIM!!!

 

 

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