When Paul wrote to Philemon he mentioned a man named Demas. He mentioned this man along with three others: Mark, Luke, and Aristarchus. Demas is described as a fellow laborer with these men and with Paul for the cause of Christ (Philemon 24). Sadly, Demas was mentioned again in the letter that Paul wrote to Timothy. However, this time Paul said, "Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world" (II Timothy 4:10). Demas who once was a fellow laborer with Paul has now forsaken that great work. Demas turned his back on the Lord because of his love for the world. Unfortunately, he is just one of many who have done this. I suppose we all know someone who has forsaken the Lord because they loved the things in this world. John said, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (I John 2:15). While we look at those who have acted in a similar way as Demas with hurt and disappointment, we also should look as ourselves. It might be that we have not turned our backs on the Lord and hopefully this is the case. But, is it possible that we are still trying to hang on to those things in the world? Do we want to have one foot in the world and one foot in the church? I spoke to a lady the other day who described herself as a "one knee Christian." That is to say that she wants to be a Christian but she does not want to submit herself fully to Christ. So many want the Salvation and hope that Christianity offers, yet they do not want to be the servants the Lord requires. It is these people who are in grave danger of becoming a Demas. Sadly, many of them are already there they just do not realize it. If we want to be pleasing to the Lord and have the Salvation that Christianity offers, then we must be "both knee Christians." We need to put both feet into Christ and get out of the world completely. When we come to the Lord we must forsake the world; lest, after time our love for the world causes us to forsake the Lord.
Garrett Bookout
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