Demas

Demas was a believer whom the Apostle Paul lovingly called a "fellowlabourer." He conveyed greetings to the brethren in Colosse from Demas.
"Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers." -Philemon
"Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you." -Colossians 4:14

Demas' name appears one other time in the Scriptures. It is when Paul is nearing the end of his life. In II Timothy 4, he writes that he has "fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." Then he urges Timothy to come to him soon. "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica ... Only Luke is with me." --II Timothy 4:10-11

Can we feel the grief and sorrow in the Apostle Paul's words when he writes of this dear brother, a former fellow-laborer, who has been deceived into forsaking the cause of Christ through returning to the love of the present world? No doubt the Apostle Paul felt the loss of Demas' prayers and companionship very keenly as, at that time, he was a prisoner for his faith in Christ and soon would be martyred.

Can we not identify with Paul's grief? When those we love and were formerly joined together with in the cause of Christ have again fallen in love with this present world and have turned back to sin or to the broad way, it brings deep sorrow. We fear lest we become deceived likewise.

"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 & 17

We cannot love the present world and also love God. Constantly we must remind ourselves that our hearts and our treasure are in Heaven. We must exhort each other that we do not love this world, its pleasures and treasures so much that we, like Demas, forsake Christ and the brethren who are counting on us to uphold them and pray for them in their trials.