Demas is a popular name in the Bible, but not for a good reason. He is mentioned 3 times. Twice as part of a group that Paul mentions in final greetings. But this isn’t how Demas is remembered. I would dare say that most people that know of Demas didn’t even know that he was mentioned elsewhere. He is remembered for one verse. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…(2 Timothy 4:10 KJV).
It’s heartbreaking to hear that Demas walked away from God. There is another point though that may even be more heartbreaking than that. Who was waiting on Demas to talk to them about Jesus? Who was it that Demas could have reached? How many souls could he have won to Christ? Did Demas have family that no longer followed Jesus because of his decision? What was Demas’ ministry supposed to be?
You see each of us have an impact or influence on people in our lives. Sometimes an impact that no one else may have. If we decide to walk away what impact might that have on them in the opposite form?
What if Ananias had not been prayed up? What if he had walked away? Who knows if Ananias had been praying that he didn’t feel like he had an impact on anyone. Little did he know that he would reach Paul.
There’s somebody out there that you are supposed to bring to Christ. There’s somebody that you’re supposed to help change the path that they are on. Don’t lose your place in the kingdom, don’t risk someone else not knowing Jesus.
It’s interesting to me that Demas forsaking Paul is mentioned in the same chapter that Paul said: I command you therefore before God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: proclaim the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4:1-2 NHEB).
Don’t turn back, don’t walk away. If you have walked away, come back. Hold onto Jesus with everything you have and reach for the lost souls around you.
1 Timothy 4:16 NHEB Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Esther 4:14 ISV Who knows but that you were brought to the kingdom for a time like this?”