Demas was a good worker and Paul seemed to appreciate his work. In fact, Paul put him right up there with John Mark and Luke when he wrote, “Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow labourers.” (Phm. 1:24). So, Demas accompanied Paul and others on missionary trips, such as the one into Asia and went with him in his voyage to Rome and seems to have also been a fellow prisoner with Paul (Acts 19:29). And, while Paul sent an epistle to the Christians in Colossae, Paul again named Demas right besides doctor Luke. “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.” (Col. 4:14).
But, Demas had a problem. A memory problem. He kept forgetting about the world to come. Of course Demas wanted heaven and was a diligent worker for the Lord. He knew that he would have heaven later. But, he also just wanted what this world had to offer, too and Demas wanted this now. So, as Paul wrote, “Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica . . .” (2 Tim. 4:10). Paul stated that Demas loved the Now Age.
What is the obsession for the Now Age? One seems to see it written all across our society in bright colors to easily be noticed. People no longer want to wait. They want things at once, immediately and instantly. Now, certainly there is nothing wrong with having a soda with a now taste. But, we have raised and are still raising a “Now Generation” of adults who promises far more than it threatens. The problem is much like that of Demas and many of God’s people are swapping heaven later for the Now Age, Now.
Christ’s people have given up their citizenship rights in this world in order to claim it in the world to come. Paul said, “For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” (Phil. 3:18-20). Christians are far too easily choosing to be residents of the Now Age. Many have neglected that God’s grace has appeared and brought salvation (Jn. 1:29). They have forgotten that the Lord teaches how to live responsibly, righteous and godly lives…now. Giving in to this world, many have forgotten the instructions to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and have forgotten that Jesus redeemed us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (Tit. 2:11-15).
Thus, the child of God should not expect a reward on earth for faithfulness. We can however have a blessed hope of happiness forever when this world is gone. So, don’t sacrifice eternity for the “Now Age.” You will always regret that. Demas did. And that is why the story of Demas is one of the saddest stories of the New Testament. How does your life read?