In 2 Timothy 4:10 we read about a man by the name of Demas: “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.” It does not make any difference where Demas went: He went away. He may have departed to Thessalonica, to Los Angeles or to Chicago: The point is, he left Paul! “Demas hath forsaken me.” It does not say he forsook Christ; it does not say he apostatized, but he forsook Paul. Why? Because he loved this present world. If he were living in our day, perhaps he wanted a D.D. or a bishopric, or, perhaps, he wanted to launch some Christian campaign. Perhaps he was not satisfied to follow in the footsteps of a man like Paul. “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). That fellowship cut too close; he loved this present world. Perhaps he loved religious applause —not that he loved worldliness — he loved this present world! You can go out in this present world and be an immense religious success. You can get your name in the paper and you can capture the headlines, if you deliberately plan for it. If you are minded enough, you can do it. But, beloved, someday it is all going to pass in solemn review at the judgment seat of Christ. What is going to be the standard by which these things are going to be reviewed? What is the Lord going to use as the standard in that day when your service and mine pass in solemn review? Does He have a standard? The only one that I know of is the Word of God. And you and I are called upon before God and before angels to keep His Word and not deny His name. Is that a little thing?
This is my parting message at this time, and I want it to go home to your heart — weigh it. I hope I have not said one word tonight that can be interpreted as boasting. If I have, I am sorry; I do not mean it that way at all. Before God, I believe there is a path in the confusion and babel of Christianity today that we can tread to the glory of God and honor the name of Christ. If I am not in it, I want you to lead me there. Before God, I do want to be found there when He returns!