DEMAS HATH FORSAKEN ME
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.” II Timothy 4:10
Demas will forever be remembered as the companion of Paul who gave in to the pull of the world, parting company with the man of God. Demas is mentioned three times in the New Testament. He was with Paul when he wrote his epistle to the Colossians. Demas was also mentioned in Paul’s epistle to Philemon. He once served with Paul and had an obvious interest in God’s work. However, his name would be remembered in infamy.
When Paul wrote the book of II Timothy, it was near the end of his life. By this time, Demas had forsaken the soldier of the cross. Nearly anyone who has been a Christian for any length of time has heard the phrase, “Demas hath forsaken me.” The words are somber and piercing. They never lose their power.
We are indebted to God for such clear words of caution as those found in this Scripture. The fall of Demas stands as a testimony to the pull of the world. Worldliness is not talked about in many Christian circles, but it is something we all need to be warned about. We have been promised victory over the world through the Lord Jesus Christ. “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (I John 5:5). We should realize and remember that the pull of the world is strong. The prodigal son was drawn away by the pull of the world, as was Demas. The world speaks of a kingdom and society that is in rebellion against God. It is a godless world order where men love darkness rather than light. However, this world is not our final home, and we are to live as citizens of another world. We have been warned: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15).
Demas allowed himself to be drawn to the world. He eventually made his choice to leave the service of God and to embrace the pleasures of the world. To compromise with the world and find our entertainment in worldly things is a step in the wrong direction. Perhaps that is how Demas began his dreadful slide. Surely many Christians were surprised and saddened by his decision, just as it hurts the work of Christ when others forsake the narrow way for the way of the world.