Together with many others of great spiritual calibre, Paul lists Demas as one of his ‘fellow labourers’. He shared in the many activities of Paul’s evangelistic service, sustaining the hardships as well as the rewards in the work of God. As a companion and helper in the many exacting situations the great apostle knew as part of his daily experience, Demas would have been party to Paul’s innermost thoughts, cares, joys and trials. Demas enjoyed a spiritual experience that was second to none. He would have been present for some of the most notable occasions. He mingled with all the spiritual ‘greats’ of his day, talked and prayed with them, held their respect and served alongside them as one of the band of ‘the fellow workers’.
But we, too, have our ‘spiritual elite’ as we serve amongst the Lord’s people today. We could not be associated with any calling of higher dignity than to be linked with Christians – those whose destiny it is to ‘live and reign with Christ’ one day!
Let us just pause to thank our God for our calling; let us lift up our hearts and hold our heads high in appreciation of our sonship, and the fellowship that is ours in Christ.
What we must never forget is that privileges and keeping good company do nothing to keep us spiritually in our walk with God. It is only His company, His word and His work that can do that for us.
We may never know what it was that led ultimately to Demas’ departure. Neither do we know how rapidly, or noticeably, was the decline in his spiritual appetite and activity. We do know that it was something in ‘this present world’ that took his eye and won his affections. He ‘loved’ it, and this is why it won the day. Demas’ allowed his love for Christ to be overtaken by another love. Like a moth to a flame he became fatally attracted.
When the moment came for him to choose it was sudden and certain – Paul says ‘Demas has abandoned me’. God’s word to us remains the same; ‘My son, give me thine heart’, Prov. 23. 26.
