I wonder if Demas decided to leave the ministry in his pursuit of the world in a moment or if it was a slow, gradual decision. Demas had once been a great help to Paul (Phil. 1:24). He had once been a servant to the church. He had once confessed to love Christ. But something happened. His love for this present world overcame him (2 Tim. 4:10). Demas became distracted with the cares and concerns of this world. I imagine it was a slow, gradual descent. The flame that once burned bright for the Lord grew dim until it blew out altogether. His fervency for God slowly grew cold. I wonder if he was even aware that the pleasures of this world were slowly gripping his heart more and more. I wonder if he even knew he had replaced his love for Christ with a passion for this world.
Is Demas not a warning for us all? Are we not exhorted to guard our hearts against worldly lusts? Are we not in danger of losing our first love by growing lukewarm? Brothers and sisters, let us take heed that we are not laying our treasure on earth. Let us make sure Christ is our all in all. May we not grow cold but hotter each day in love for God. Christ is the pearl of great price and worthy of all our affections. Should we not live for the One who died for us? Let us forsake this present world (which is fading away) to apprehend that which can never be taken from us. “He is no fool,” Jim Elliot said, “who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
