Words series//Words of knowledge: Some of the saddest words found in Holy Writ are these words from the pen of the Apostle Paul. "for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world." Paul was in a Roman prison alone because his companions had left for ministry or perhaps other legitimate reasons and some Paul had sent, perhaps all of them with the exception of Demas and good old doctor Luke who stayed behind to be with Paul. The story unfolds in the 4th. chapter of 2 Timothy verses 9-13. You can read it there. I can see a story as it unfolds in my minds eye also...a picture of the old warrior who once had been just that, hailing men and casting them into prison for proclaiming the Gospel. Now he is himself in prison for the same reason...proclaiming the Gospel. I'm sure that he considered it a privilege to be there for the Gospel's sake, for he had just finished his valdictory address in verses 6,7,8 of this chapter 4: "For I am already poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, the King James says, it says ("Finally") in modern translations, Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteousness judge shall give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." However there must also have been a great aching in his heart over Demas for he said "Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world." In Col. 4:14 and Philemon verse 24 Demas is identified as a co-worker, a fellow laborer in the Gospel and now he has forsaken the Apstle while in an hour of need. Reminds me of a Judas character.
Judas loved the world and money. I don't know just what it was that attracted Demas but the Bible says he loved this present world.
How many times have you heard of a husband leaving his wife because she has a cancer or some other terminal disease or a wife leaving her husband because of an allegation of being a child molester which could not be proven and never happened? Guilty until proven innocent, a stigma for life. Or maybe it was a co-worker or a life long friend who betrayed you as Ahithophel who was a good friend and advisor of the King of Israel and he became an advisor to David's adversary and left David and even betrayed him. Ahithopel loved position and it was David's son Absolam who was also his father's adversary and Ahithophel being Absalom's new adviser was making sure(he thought) that he would still be a man of position. He too loved this present world. Maybe somebody reading this blog can identify with the Apostle, perhaps some time along life's way you have felt betrayal. Paul was in prison as I stated at this point in his life, Demas was a fellow laborer and there is no doubt that Paul felt a great love for this brother and held him in high regard and Demas was there in Rome with him, ministering to his needs...but he saw the suffering, he saw the price that had to be paid to serve Jesus. There's an old song that says, "it'll cost you something to follow, but you'll gain far more than you gave, You'll give up a life of sorrow, forever with Jesus to reign." "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus," another song declares. Demas was not willing to pay the price...he loved the present world. The Bible says, "love not the world, neither the things of the world for woever loves the world; the love of the father is not in him.
Ahithophel was the father of one of David's mighty men 2 Samuel vs. 34 of chapter 23 and his advice was according to 2 Samuel 16:23, " Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the oracle of God; so all the counsel of Ahithophel was esteemed, both by David and by Absalom." Both Demas and Ahithophel were highly respected and well loved men...men of God, or so one would think. But like Judas Iscariot, who betrayed his Lord, they forsook the right paths and missed the only real things that are important. Again if you have been betrayed by someone close to your heart then cast your care on the Lord and He will keep you, ......HE CARES FOR YOU
Judas loved the world and money. I don't know just what it was that attracted Demas but the Bible says he loved this present world.
How many times have you heard of a husband leaving his wife because she has a cancer or some other terminal disease or a wife leaving her husband because of an allegation of being a child molester which could not be proven and never happened? Guilty until proven innocent, a stigma for life. Or maybe it was a co-worker or a life long friend who betrayed you as Ahithophel who was a good friend and advisor of the King of Israel and he became an advisor to David's adversary and left David and even betrayed him. Ahithopel loved position and it was David's son Absolam who was also his father's adversary and Ahithophel being Absalom's new adviser was making sure(he thought) that he would still be a man of position. He too loved this present world. Maybe somebody reading this blog can identify with the Apostle, perhaps some time along life's way you have felt betrayal. Paul was in prison as I stated at this point in his life, Demas was a fellow laborer and there is no doubt that Paul felt a great love for this brother and held him in high regard and Demas was there in Rome with him, ministering to his needs...but he saw the suffering, he saw the price that had to be paid to serve Jesus. There's an old song that says, "it'll cost you something to follow, but you'll gain far more than you gave, You'll give up a life of sorrow, forever with Jesus to reign." "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus," another song declares. Demas was not willing to pay the price...he loved the present world. The Bible says, "love not the world, neither the things of the world for woever loves the world; the love of the father is not in him.
Ahithophel was the father of one of David's mighty men 2 Samuel vs. 34 of chapter 23 and his advice was according to 2 Samuel 16:23, " Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the oracle of God; so all the counsel of Ahithophel was esteemed, both by David and by Absalom." Both Demas and Ahithophel were highly respected and well loved men...men of God, or so one would think. But like Judas Iscariot, who betrayed his Lord, they forsook the right paths and missed the only real things that are important. Again if you have been betrayed by someone close to your heart then cast your care on the Lord and He will keep you, ......HE CARES FOR YOU
posted by Randall | 7:42 a.m.
2 Comments:
What about the betrayer if he repents I think GOD also cares for him.
Coffee
Generally speaking I would agree with Coffeee. But there were a few people in the Biblle who found no plaace of repentance. One was Judas Iscariot(understanably so); the other was Jacob's brother Esau whom the BIBLE SAYS "HE FOUND NO PLACE OF REPENTANCE THOUGH HE SOUGHT IT BITTERLY WITH TEARS" tHERE WAS ONLY ONE BIRTHRIGHT AND eSAU SOLD IT FOR A BOWL OF STEW...something to think on..
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