08/10/2013 - WHY LOVE THE WORLD?

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Or Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

II Timothy 4:10

Two attitudes hurt the heart of a true man: the helplessness of a child in faith and his/her backsliding. And that is because he knows that the Lord promised Moses to be the enemy of his enemies, and by extension, enemy of his enemies and adversary of his adversaries (Exodus 23:22). But He would also be a friend of his friends, faithful to whom was faithful to Him and rewarding to whom did something good to Him. Loving the world does not pay off.

We have been warned that there will come a time when many will not endure sound doctrine. The spirit of the world will corrupt many. Judging from what we have seen, it seems that we are already living this time. How will someone accept a master who condones what the Lord condemns? Such “teachers” emerge with a filthy heart filled with fancy ideas that have no biblical grounds.

The secret to avoid falling into temptation is to be sober in all things. Do not be fooled by what people say, the tears they shed or their sensuality. On the other hand, the Word tells us to endure the afflictions. This is one of the burdens we have to bear. If this has already occurred to you, the solution is to do the work of an evangelist, as a preacher of the Good News, fulfilling the ministry that the Lord gave to you (II Timothy 4:5).

From the day we gave our lives to the Lord, we died with Christ (Romans 6:8). What matters to us is to fight the good fight until the race is finished, always keeping the faith (II Timothy 4:7). Now, for those who are found faithful there will be a reward, which Paul called the crown of righteousness, to be given by Jesus on the Day of Judgment (verse 8). So, do not lose your resolve of always being a servant of the Most High.

Why did Demas leave Paul, having loved this present world? Like him, many others did it too. What’s worse is that many insist on error by not listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Those people caused huge harm to the apostle and also to themselves. What will they say to the Righteous Judge when He comes? Will there be any excuses for having reverted to sin and greed and followed the desires of their heart?

The bad example of Demas was followed by others. Some abandoned Paul because they were sent to a holy mission; others, unfortunately, followed the path of death. However, God is faithful! He always has a Luke who renounced his life and career to stand beside those who received the call. Be this kind of Luke, because he who has left anything for the sake of the Gospel will receive a hundredfold, and also inherit eternal life (Matt. 19:29).

In Christ with Love,

R. R. Soares