WHERE IS BROTHER DEMAS?

IN THE BEGINNING...

“Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you” (Col. 4:14).

Demas was a brother and walked and worked with the likes of Luke and Mark.

“Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers” (Philemon 1:24).

He was named among the saints. He preached the gospel. He sought the kingdom of God. He was vibrant. He started well. People used to know him; he prayed for many, he preached to many, he made many sacrifices for the kingdom.

BUT...

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica” (2 Tim. 4:10a)

Then came the times of trials and temptations, and Demas did forsake Paul and chose to follow the world. Whether it was a reluctance to give all including his life (like Paul), or the love of the world, the issue is that Demas departed from the brethren because he “loved this present world”. He removed his eyes from the cross before him and went back to the world he once left behind.

Friend, we are in the end time, the Bible says “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:12). This is what is happening today; many are backsliding and going back to the world (of sin and sinful pleasures). Many who once preached the gospel and stood for the truth are being lured away by the desire to partake of what the world is offering.

When you look around, there are many who started this race years ago; they were vibrant, praying and studying. But, today, many have gone solo. The love of God has been replaced by the love of money, the love of jobs, and the love of career. The search for what they will “eat” has eaten them up...it has brought them into a life of compromise...it has sifted them, and shifted them from the book of life. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31).

The devil is more determined than ever to enlarge his kingdom because he knows that his time is short. This is a time for us to be more watchful as we pray. Oh that nothing will take our hearts away from the love of Christ!

God is calling to every one backslider in heart and in ways. “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Heb. 10:39). May God heal every backslidden heart in Jesus’ name.

And to many who are keeping the faith, keep standing in His grace; the end is nearer than we think. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11).

Brother Demas departed many years ago, and has not returned. Brother Judas went out that night, over 2000 years ago, and has never returned. My dear brother, where are you? Have you also gone out or you are just at the verge of going out (backslide)? Were you once known in Heaven or you are still known in Heaven? I charge you, ‘it is time to go back Home to God in repentance’; He will accept you.

PRAYER:

Pray with me; Lord, let nothing take me away from your will and eternal purpose in Jesus’ name.