“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.” (1 John 2:15)
Demas once walked with Paul. They shared fellowship and friendship. Two though can only walk together when they are agreed. Slowly they drifted apart. Paul did not forsake Demas. Demas forsook Paul. Why? Paul plainly tells Timothy: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 TImothy 4:10)
No man can serve two masters. If we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us. Loving the world is really loving our lives in this world. It is loving what this world of men offers us. It is loving what we can gain by way of earthly pleasure and human reward. It is subtle and alluring and finds kings idly walking on palace roofs when they should be engaged in battle. The excitement the world has to offer is a sad and poor replacement for the satisfaction and fulfillment that is found in God’s way. Demas thought he was off toward greener pastures; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. (Psalm 68:6)
Never think that service for God will keep you. Don’t be in love with ministry. When the thrill of doing things for God dies down where will you be? Stay passionately in love with the Lord Himself, always pursuing those things that He wants you to personally grow in. Such a love will cause you to scorn all that this world runs after. Such a love will keep you together forever with God and His people.