Haven of Truth Article – A Very Sad Verse
“Which hope we have as an
anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.” Hebrews 6.19
By Pastor Barry Black
The bible is so very practical and up to date. Even the
saddest of verses is important and can be full of
application. In this article we will see specific passages
of Scripture, which teach both a doctrinal and practical
truths for the believer.
It doesn’t feel very good, does it?
Have you ever been forsaken by a
friend? It is a very sad and lonely feeling, and can be
quite overwhelming. At the end of Paul’s life (some believe
in the last days or even hours), Paul penned his second
letter to Timothy. In 2 Timothy 4.9-22, Paul spent the last
14 verses of his last letter with personal greetings and
remarks. Most of those were positive remarks toward those
who had been a help to him in his ministry. However there
were at least 2 people whom Paul mentioned that stand as a
rebuke and warning; one of which was a man named Demas. But
first let’s back up and look at the people Demas is
mentioned alongside and see what we learn about him.
Mentioned only a few times
In two places Demas is listed as a
fellow worker with Paul. “Luke, the beloved physician,
and Demas greet you.”(Colossians 4.14) He is also
listed in Philemon verses 23,24: “salute…Ephaphras, my
fellowprisoner in Jesus Christ. Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas,
Lucas, my fellowlabourers.” Demas was a brother in
Christ and a fellowlabourer with the apostle Paul – a
partner in the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He was in the company of Epaphras, John Mark (a.k.a. Marcus
– Colossians 4.10; Philemon vs. 24; 1 Peter 5.13),
Aristarchus, and Luke (a.k.a. Lucas – 2 Corinthians
13.14; Philemon verses 23,24). Although not much is
mentioned about Demas, he is listed as a co-worker
alongside some spiritually mature believers mentioned often
in Acts and in Paul’s letters.
He was previously faithful
Apparently Demas was a trusted veteran
among the ranks of those with whom he is mentioned.
Epaphras is mentioned in Scripture as a man of fervent
prayer (Colossians 4.12). John Mark was a young
man who is described at the end of Paul’s life as one who
was profitable for the ministry (2 Timothy 4.11).
Aristarchus is mentioned as a companion in Paul’s travels
(see Acts 19.29; 20.4; 27.2; and Colossians
4.10). Luke was the “beloved physician”
(Colossians 4.14) and faithful friend of Paul
(2 Timothy 4.11), who penned the book of Acts
(Acts 1.1; Luke 1.3).
Wonder what happened?
In 2 Timothy 4, the Apostle
Paul writes his final words included in Scripture. When
writing his closing words to Timothy about long time
friends and partners in ministry, Paul said in 2
Timothy 4.10:
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present
world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to
Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”
Demas is described as having “forsaken”
Paul. However, it doesn’t simply mean that he only forsook
Paul, he certainly did that; but there is more to it than
merely forsaking Paul’s company and friendship. The Greek
word that Paul used for “forsaken” (egkataleipō),
means: to totally abandon, to desert, to leave in straits,
to leave helpless, to utterly forsake (source:
blueletterbible.org). Interestingly enough, the
same Greek word is used by Matthew and Mark when recording
Jesus words on the cross, “my God, why hast thou
forsaken me”.
To forsake Paul was one thing. It was sad enough that Demas
left Paul, his good, faithful friend in Christ. But what is
even sadder is that Demas had forsaken the ministry that he
once had with Paul; and quite possibly abandoned his walk
with His Lord. Who was Demas? Was he a missionary? He was
of sorts at least, if not “officially”. But then all of us
are missionaries to an extent; we are all given the command
to spread the gospel everywhere (Mark 16.15; 2
Corinthians 4.1-7), and to be a testimony to other
Christians as well as to the unsaved (1 Corinthians
8.9-13; 9.23-27).
However, Demas had forsaken that calling. For some reason,
he left to go to Thessalonica. Perhaps persecution had
become too great. In fact, as Paul wrote Second Timothy,
Pau was just a short time (days or possibly hours) from
being martyred for the sake of the gospel. Maybe that price
seemed too high for Demas. Perhaps he went to Thessalonica
for financial gain, or for family. We can only speculate as
to why; but the truth of the matter is that something
pulled him away, as indicated in the phrase, “…having
loved this present world…” The apostle John said in
1 John 2.15-17:
Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If
any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in
him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, are not of the
Father, but are of the world. And the world passeth away,
and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God
abideth forever.
“He’s not the only one”
In Luke chapter 8, Jesus gives a parable to His disciples
of the sower, the seed, and the soils. It is evident that
the first of the 4 seeds sown on the wayside (Luke
8.5) represents those who hear the gospel, but do not
believe on Christ as Savior (Luke 8.12). The other
three types of soil represent those who are saved; but of
those, 2 types of soil represent believers that do not do
well spiritually. Those in Luke 8.7 and 14 are
described as being sown among thorns. Thorns represent
believers who have been “choked with cares and riches
and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to
perfection" (Luke 8.14). Their condition is found in
other places in scripture as well. For example, Hebrews
10.38: “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man
draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”
Demas is a prime example of the believer described by Jesus
in Luke 8 verses 7 and 14. Something had obviously
“choked” (Luke 8.14) his desire to continue in
obedience, and therefore caused him to “draw back”
(Hebrews 10.38).
Was it worth it, Demas?
A sobering question which we should regularly ask ourselves
would be, “What could seem to be more rewarding than
what we can enjoy for eternity?” In other words, what
can we gain in this life that would be more important than
something we could enjoy for eternity? (See also
Matthew 6.19-21). Approval and reward at the
Judgment Seat of Christ should be enough motivation to keep
us focused on the eternal and to run the race well (1
Corinthians 9.24-25; Hebrews 12.1-3); but
unfortunately that is not always the case. Certainly all
believers have times when we struggle as did the Apostle
Paul – (Romans 7.18-24). In fact, it is very
possible you struggle on a daily basis. With that in mind,
it is very possible for a believer to fall prey to the same
tragedy as Demas. His legacy is a sad, sobering warning of
what could happen when a believer forsakes the work of God,
and embraces a life of disobedience to our Lord. Hopefully
at some point Demas made his way back into fellowship with
his Lord. But from what Paul wrote, it appears that Demas
was “disqualified from the race” (1 Corinthians
9.26-27).
Count the cost and avoid the loss
Luke 14.25-35 Jesus gives several analogies
concerning discipleship. One of them is found in
14.28-30. He likens discipleship to building a
tower, and being able to finish the tower. The difference
between beginning to build the tower and whether or not it
can be finished, is found in the ability to count the cost.
The application is clear: to be a Christian requires faith
alone in Christ alone. To be a disciple requires cost. The
cost may be a willingness to suffer ridicule or even
martyrdom; or it may be to be “disowned” by family or
friends (or even to sacrifice relationships with family or
friends see Luke 14.26,); or bearing our cross
(Luke 14.27) in some way.
Count the cost and anticipate the reward
Correct teaching about the Judgment Seat of Christ teaches
us application of important truths regarding eternal
security, living for the temporary, and potential
embarrassment at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
4.8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall
give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them
also that love his appearing.
4.1 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his
appearing and his kingdom”
When Paul begins chapter 4, he reminds Timothy and all
believers that the Judgment Seat of Christ is a certainty
in our future. With that in mind, he encourages and
challenges Timothy (and all believers) to remain faithful
(verse 2 – “be instant in season, out of season”),
and to spread the gospel (verse 5 – “do the work of an
evangelist”). The Judgment Seat of Christ is an
encouragement to be faithful and fruitful; but it is also a
warning about becoming lax and foolish in our Christian
life (for other references, see 1 Corinthians 3.9-17;
Romans 14; 2 Corinthians 5; 2nd John verse 8). There
are other reminders in Scripture to believers about
forfeiting eternal rewards for temporal pleasure
(Hebrews 12.15-17).
The safest place on earth is in the center of God’s will
for our life; loving Him and serving Him faithfully. We
should all take heed to our spiritual walk lest we become
like Demas and others who “went back, and walked no
more with him” (John 6.66).
Barry D. Black is Pastor of Anchor Bible Church
Their website is: www.anchorbible.org
Barry’s e-mail address is: barry@anchorbible.org