Demas’ spiritual shipwreck

Demas started well, a member of Paul’s ministry team:

Colossians 4:10–18 (ESV)

10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),

11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

13For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

15Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

16And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

17And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Philemon 23–25 (ESV)

23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,

24and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Then the love of the world drew his heart away from loving service to the Lord:

2 Timothy 4:9–11 (ESV)

9Do your best to come to me soon.

10For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

John warned about the love of the world:

1 John 2:15–17 (ESV)

15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.