THE BIGGEST LOSER

"He who thinks it necessary to cultivate the favour of the world is not far from betraying the interests of God and his church." - Quote taken from Adam Clarke's Commentary on Luke 9:61

Imagine laboring in the ministry with the Great Apostle Paul. How exhilarating this experience would be! But can you imagine anyone enjoying that great privilege or having that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and then leaving it for other things that are mundane and earthly?

The Scriptures tell us that there was one man who was privileged to travel with Paul but forsook it all for the things of this world.

2 Timothy 4:10 relates the sad commentary - "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world..."

We might ask - What in the world would cause Demas to forsake Paul?

Or perhaps we should ask - What in Demas caused him to leave the high calling of God on his life for secular pursuits and cares?

No doubt, the hand of God laid heavily on this man for service - considering how he trained under the tutelage of the Great Apostle. What wisdom and knowledge he was exposed to every moment they ministered together.

However, in spite of the spiritual wealth and riches surrounding him, there was something churning inside of him which was possibly unknown to anyone but the Lord. We may surmise that if Paul knew of this doublemindedness in Demas, he most likely would have let him go as he did John Mark (Acts 15:38).

Here was a man going through the motions of ministry, yet deep inside of him, a tug-of-war was taking place. The hand of God was pulling him one way, and the world and its enticements was pulling him another way.

I wonder how many Christians are in this same position today. They are sitting under the teaching and preaching of the Word and acting as if they are wholehearted and zealous for the Lord. Nonetheless, deep down in their hearts, there is a struggle going on - a gravitational pull away from the Cross and the high cost of serving Jesus for the easygoing, lighthearted, and entertaining ways of the world.

Demas finally could not stand the inner struggle any longer. Jesus brought him to the "Valley of Decision" - so to speak. And 2 Timothy 4:10 records his final decision - "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world..."

Oh, Saint of God, it behooves you to stop whatever you are doing and ask yourself some very heart-searching questions -

Are you a modern-day Demas - torn between two worlds - the world of the Spirit and that of the flesh? Is there a war going on in your soul right now? Are you running from the call of God on your life? Are you serving Jesus with mixed emotions? Do you find yourself resisting the "yoke of Christ" which restricts you in so many ways from having things your way?

So many today want the Best of both worlds. They want to serve Jesus and still win the world's favor. They cannot endure the mortification of Self that goes along with serving the Lord - so they broaden the gate to allow anything and everything of the world, the flesh, or the devil in - and still call it Christianity.

This may go on for a time. But the Lord Jesus makes sure that a day of reckoning comes when the struggling and wavering individual has to make a choice between God and the world.

Demas made his choice. He "forsook" Paul, the ministry, the call of God on his life, and his chance of ever spending eternity with the Living Son of God.

Why? What would cause a man to throw away such a godly heritage?

The answer is plain and simple - "For Demas...having loved this present world..."

He couldn't entertain two loves in his heart. One had to go. "The Love of the Father" was the one to go. The Love of the world won out.

Before we point a finger at Demas and call him the biggest loser on the face of the earth, let's study some possible reasons for such a regrettable decision and "hear and fear" - lest we end up in the same horrible condition.

1. The Love Of The Father Is Missing

1 John 2:15 says - "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Philippians 2:21 says - "For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's."

Wherever the love of the world is, "the love of the Father" will be nonexistent. We know that the love of the world consists of "the lust of the flesh," "the lust of the eyes," and "the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). But what exactly is "the love of the Father"? It can be summed up in these words - seeking the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Hence, a person who is operating in "the love of the Father" will not seek after the gratification of his own lusts and pleasures, but will sacrifice and deny all ease and interests in order that Jesus Christ and He alone be glorified.

2. The Thoughts, Ways, & Actions Are Patterned After The World

Ephesians 2:2 says - "...walked according to the course of this world..."

Those who love the world conform to its customs and manners. Hence, they become false, deceitful, insincere, and hollow in their conversations, commitments, and friendships.

3. Satan Is Given Place Through Disobedience

Ephesians 2:2 says - "...walked...according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience."

Whether they will admit it or not, those who have a love for the world are under the control of Satan. Through their continual compromising, they move in opposition to God's Holy Law but in accordance with Satan's will and pleasure. Consequently, they become more and more under his control and dominion through their constant disobedience.

4. The Life Is Marked By Lust & Pride

1 John 2:16 says - "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

Those - who are not seeking after the things of the Lord but are seeking after the things of this world - are characterized by their inordinate desire for wealth, earthly possessions, fleshly pleasures, honors, titles, and the applause and approval of men. Their souls are in constant turmoil - due to the indulgence of fleshly lusts and the desire for preeminence.

5. The Heart Is Hardened Through Unbelief

1 John 5:4 says - "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

Faith in God enables the believer to conquer the world and its enticements. Those who have "the love of the Father" - who are seeking after the things of the Lord - have victory over sin and error. They are not influenced or governed by the world's maxims, precepts, customs, aims, or principles.

On the other hand, those who love the world are hardened through the deceitfulness of their own sin. Their trust and confidence lies in their own selves. Hence, their lack of Faith in God manifests itself in a life of defeat and failure.

6. The Individual Is Repulsed By The Cross-Life

Luke 14:26-27 says - "If any man come to Me, and hate not His father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple."

Lastly, those who love the world are consumed with a love for Self. Resultantly, they reject any mention of sacrifice, loss, cross-carrying, hardships, persecutions, rejections, etc. for the cause of Christ.

Oh Saint of God, is your heart filled with "the love of the Father" or a love for this world?

What are you giving in exchange for "the riches of Christ"?

What earthly pursuits are drawing you away from God's call on your life?

Has this message gotten your attention?

We pray that you will surrender all that is keeping you from finishing your course and race with joy.

Whatever you do - Don't be another Demas who "loved this present world" and, consequently, ended up in Hell for all eternity.

Get right with God by "selling out" for Jesus.

May God Bless His Word,

Connie

© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved

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