Do thy diligence to come shortly
unto me: for Demas hath forsaken
me, having loved this present world,
and is departed unto Thessalonica;
Crescens to Galatia,
Titus unto Dalmatia. Luke is alone
with me. Mark having taken bring
with thyself, for he is to me useful
for service. Tychicus but I sent to Ephesus.
The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus,
when thou comest, bring with thee, and
the books, but especially the parchments.
2Timothy 4:9-13
An apology for in the last blog I mistakenly used wrong numbers for text cited. Hope you found this out and read the right ones.
Paul in prison needed a cloke it was getting cold and prisons in those days where not like or today prisons where there is heat, food, clothing, television, work out rooms, telephones, etc., and is more like a resort, tough as it may be, but a society that is cared for unlike the days of Paul. Paul was to be killed shortly. Why? For preaching the Gospel. How is that worthy of being killed? Ask a Muslim! In Paul's day the Roman Empire would accept almost every religion as long as those worshipping their god would hold the Roman gods in a higher plane. The most being, to have the Roman Emperor who was declared to be a god, the highest of all gods, above any other religion's god. Paul taught, as does the Bible, that there is only one God: Jehovah, the Great I am. When Christianity was thought to be nothing more than a sect of Judiasm it was condoned, but when it became apparent that it was not, that it did not teach Judaism then Christianity became an evil and those worshipping Jesus Christ could be, and many was, put to death. Many run from Jesus Christ, from any association with Christianity in fear and follow after those who teach fables. It is easier and safer to discuss the nature of virtues than to argue about the sacraments of faith. Too many preachers preach allegorically for this has a pleasing effect. It tickles the ears! Much preaching is about guarding virtues, to instill virtues, but not about shackling and banishment of vices. There is why the rubber meets the road: to be virtuous, one must banish vices and this will put one at enmity with the world.
Demas was a companion of Paul during Paul's first imprisonment (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24) and seemed to be a native of Thessalonica and while had been a friend to Paul he forsook him for this present world. How often have you seen this happen by people who have attended your Church? Many people like Demas become temporarily magnetized by the enthusiasm of sacrifice. There was a desire to be among those serving God, to be among those who had martyred their life to the service of God. When it became apparent that this martyred life was hard, and it offended the world this life becomes intolerable. The beauty of buildings, the magnificent halls of Caesar, the gorgeous homes of the rich and the glitter of a world of music, venal lives, jest and wine, this gay (not homosexual for they have changed the meaning of this word to attempt to remove such an offense as homosexual), all this glamor made cause for Demas to yield to its charms. This man who was one of wavering in impulse surrendered to the passions of this world, to surrender an Authentic Christian Faith and passion of sacrifice, tot he swirling dark waters of this world. This then shows his true thought and love, and this shows us where our true love and thought is, it is a reflection of our sanctification, and love of Jesus Christ Who died to pay for your sin.
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28: Luke 12:4). Do not become a Demas and live for this world which is death, permanent death, eternal death; rather live of for God, for Jesus Christ knowing that the Holy Spirit is with you unto death, a death that is temporary, and a life that is eternal. The choice is yours, and mine. Choose wisely!
And prepare yourselves by the houses
of your fathers, after your courses,
according to the writing of David king
of Israel and according to the writing
of Solomon his son.
IIChronicles 35:4
Peace is found in God's word
Richard L. Crumb
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