Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.  I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.  Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.  2 Timothy 4:9 – 15

It is heart-breaking when a brother or sister in the Gospel turns away from Jesus Christ and especially devastating when he or she was once a sincere follower of the Lamb and a valued member of the team. Paul wrote in Colossians 4:14, Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.  Fast forward several years – Demas has deserted me.

A painful memory comes back to me. One of the leaders of the believers in Bumangi in Tanzania was a powerful witness for Jesus.  That was about 1956. As is often the case, he was despised and even cursed by his fellow tribesmen. He was as faithful to his calling as anyone I knew.  Then, a few years later, I learned that he had taken a second wife and was no longer a simple follower of Christ.   I had to struggle with that.

I have seen many “Demas’s” in my lifetime.  Not everyone who confesses faith in Jesus Christ will persist in that walk until death.  Satan will do what he can to break the heart and faith of the followers of Jesus.

Praise God, many will not be moved, but will keep their eyes on Jesus, no matter what the cost, like Crescens and Titus and Thychicus.  They are committed!  Of the three, we know Titus quite well for Paul wrote a memorable letter to him.

But, how about Alexander who harmed Paul most deliberately? Paul offers no details about that!  The story goes on for all of us – forgive, repent and praise for the now.  Some will stand, others will fall.  As for you and me, we must continue to follow the Lamb where ever He goes!

Paul was suffering because he knew he was called to bring Gentiles to belief and to include them into the fellowship, where Jews and Gentile believers love Jesus with identical passion.  The task is so daunting that Paul, originally a Pharisee himself, an educated one, must rely only on the miracle working grace of God.  It will be contested from every angle.  Yet, it was that vision, given by Jesus Christ himself, that shaped Paul’s entire life!  What shapes me?  That vision lifts Paul into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ that frustrates the devils!  The battle is not over until death.