We don’t know much about Demas, but what little we do know is very instructive.

    In his letter to Philemon, Paul mentioned his fellow prisoner, Epraphas, then listed four men as fellow laborers (vv.23-24).  They were Mark, Aristarchus, Luke, and Demas.  So in the beginning, he was very important to Paul and the ministry.  Even in prison, Paul labored in the work of sharing the good news about Jesus, and Demas was a fellow laborer.

    A little later, in his letter to the Colossians, Paul mentioned quite a few men, describing them in glowing terms.  But when he came to Demas, he simply stated his name.  Demas was still there.  He was still a follower.  But Paul does not call him a fellow laborer, or otherwise distinguish him in terms of service.  I don’t know how significant that is.  I do know that the persecution which had landed Paul and Epraphas in prison, had claimed another man.  In Philemon, Aristarchus was listed  as a fellow laborer.  Now Paul says Aristarchus is his fellow prisoner.  Perhaps this affected the zeal of Demas.

    Still later, in his second letter to Timothy, Paul says, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.”  He started well.  But as time went on, Demas seems to have slacked off in his dedication.  Finally, he left Paul altogether.  He went from being a fellow laborer, to a follower, to a forsaker.  He was still a believer.  Nothing is said about Demas forsaking Jesus.  But he forsook Paul and the work that Paul was doing.

    Paul’s analysis of why Demas forsook him is that he “loved this present world.”  I’m not sure what that means.  Some suggest that he loved his present world of freedom from persecution and prison, so decided to leave before he lost it.  Others suggest he just got caught up in the pleasures of a life of ease, where being a disciple didn’t cost very much, and simply quit trying.  Either way, he stopped doing what he once did, and moved away from the work of God.

    Over the years I have come across a number of “Usta Wuzzers.”  They are people who were very involved in Kingdom work in other years, but who have quit somewhere along the way.  Sometimes they were apologetic for having forsaken the work.  At other times they were defiant about it.  But in every instance they were empty husks.  Just shadows of what they once were.

    Our world is becoming increasingly hostile to the Christian message and to those of us who share it and try to live by it.  At the same time, we are increasingly seduced by the siren song of comfort and ease.  We are tempted to spend our time, money and energy pampering ourselves.  It is much easier to stay at home and do nothing, than it is to join the work of God with the people of God.  I am not talking about attending the services, but getting involved in the service of the Lord.  There is something for every Christian to do.  And God expects us to do it until He calls us home.

    Demas started well, but fell by the wayside.  Don’t be a Demas.