They Are Not Blessed

By Eric Davis - Posted at The Cripplegate:

They are some of the more depressing words in Scripture. “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me” (2 Tim. 4:10).

It wasn’t always that way. Demas was doing great for a while. He was traveling with the ministry elites of the apostolic age; Luke, Aristarchus, and the apostle Paul (Col. 4:14, Philem. 24). For a time, he was even considered a “fellow worker” (Philem. 24). However, a mere five years later, and he has bolted the faith. Paul uses a word in 2 Timothy 4:10 (translated, “has deserted”) which depicts abandonment and apostasy; departing from the faith. Demas appeared to be regenerate and a mature Christian. But, as time and truth go hand-in-hand, his faith proved to be false.

Apostasy is the ultimate soul-insanity. Hell is preferred over heaven. Sin satisfies more than the Savior. The world’s rubbish is preferred over heaven’s King. Nothing is worse than that highest act of spiritual treason. I pray that, by God’s grace, it never happens to me.
Tragically, there are far too many Demas’ among the body of Christ. Likely you could think of some. The pain is almost too much. Even years after the departure, I still experience a measure of disbelief as I recall the Demas’. Much could be said about apostasy. But there is one error that is too common. It goes like this: ...

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