March 19, 2024
Pastor Darin Youngberg
<< Next Entry Previous Entry >>
Daily Bread
Posted on Monday, December 11, 2017 by Bro_D
Daily Bread Dec. 11, 2017
2 Timothy 4:9-10 Do your best to come to me soon. (10) For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Paul was in prison because he was a preacher of the Gospel. He was a popular man. No matter the town he was in, there was a crowd around him. Some wanted to hear what he said, others wanted him dead. There were those that at one point were with him but now opposed him. There were those that had once welcomed his message but now hated to hear him speak. Verse 10 speaks of one such man, Demas. Paul tells us what caused Demas’ desertion – the love of the present world.
Sadly, we could insert just about any name into verse 10 ----- ___________, in love with this present world has deserted ________. I have seen marriages ruined because one or both spouses have a greater relationship with the world than they do with the LORD Jesus Christ. I’ve watched families disintegrate because the world has more influence than the Word of God. What is even more frightening, is that many, if not most of these families were at one time, interested in walking with the LORD and living by His word. They started out on the right path, but the tug of the world began to pull them away. It shouldn’t be a shock to anybody – at least anybody who takes Jesus seriously – remember what He told His disciples? Mark 4:19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful --- or --- Luke 14:18-20 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' (19) And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' (20) And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'
We say we don’t know why. We say we don’t know what happens. The truth is, we really do know. It’s the love of the present world. The love of the present is much greater than the love of the eternal. We don’t “see” things in light of their eternal perspective, we simply live for the here and now. That will ruin a person. Listen to Jesus’ perspective on this -- Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Seek the Kingdom of God – that’s eternal. When faced with a decision today, think which choice will have eternal benefits in the Kingdom of God. We can choose to live for the here and now - -must likely, that will have a negative effect on the Kingdom. We can choose to live for the Kingdom of God – that will have a positive effect.
Demas will be forever known as the one who chose the world over the Kingdom of God – sadly, for many folks who sat in the pews of a church yesterday, or at one time sat in pews, Demas means nothing to them. BUT, for the truly born again, Demas is a warning –“Don’t be a Demas!”