Are they blessed or not?

They are some of the more depressing words in Scripture. “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me” (2 Tim. 4:10).

It wasn’t always that way. Demas was doing great for a while. He was traveling with the ministry elites of the apostolic age; Luke, Aristarchus, and the apostle Paul (Col. 4:14, Philem. 24). For a time, he was even considered a “fellow worker” (Philem. 24). However, a mere five years later, and he has bolted the faith. Paul uses a word in 2 Timothy 4:10 (translated, “has deserted”) which depicts abandonment and apostasy; departing from the faith. Demas appeared to be regenerate and a mature Christian. But, as time and truth go hand-in-hand, his faith proved to be false.

Apostasy is the ultimate soul-insanity. Hell is preferred over heaven. Sin satisfies more than the Savior. The world’s rubbish is preferred over heaven’s King. Nothing is worse than that highest act of spiritual treason.

Tragically, there are far too many Demas’ among the body of Christ. Likely you could think of some. The pain is almost too much. Even years after the departure, I still experience a measure of disbelief as I recall the Demas’. But there is one error that is too common. It goes like this:

The professing Christian treacherously departs from His Majesty out of love for the world. Time goes by; maybe a few months. Then you start to hear it, even from other professing Christians: “Did you hear? Demas is doing really well. His job is going better than ever. He’s getting promotions; really rising up. His health is better. His marriage/family/relationship situation is going good. They seem happy. Demas is really blessed.” And so the list of supposed “blessings” continue.

But is that true? Is there such thing as a blessed apostate? Say Demas rolled back into Thessalonica (2 Tim. 4:10), was handed that promotion with the shipping business, bought a plush house on the hill, and felt happier than he’d been in the ten previous years having to deny himself and take up his cross. Is Demas blessed?

The worst possible thing for an apostate is to have a good life prior to eternity. Blessing is not easy life, good job, and smooth circumstances. 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit…those who mourn…the humble…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness…when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of [Christ]” (Matt. 5:3-6, 10-11). Blessing is being regularly under the caring, felt discipline of the Almighty Father (Heb. 12:5-11).

As Luther said, “I account it a part of unhappiness not to know adversity; I judge you to be miserable, because you have not been miserable.”

The apostate who appears blessed from the earth is in reality cursed from heaven. Count that apostate damned of all whose seems to smile most. They are not blessed, but cursed. The earthly comforts; the worldly improvements; the fun, job, and high times; it is only a sign that they have been given over to the insanity. The gates of heaven have been slammed shut, and hell is belching up a feast before its fury. Satan’s Sirens are seducing them for the slaughter. They are permitted to plunge headlong in treachery. It is as good as things will ever be for them into all eternity. For that, they must be pitied.

When we see life under the sun going well for the wicked, the last thing we should think is, “They are blessed.” Earth’s comforts only embolden Demas in his damnable state. They are flattered in their flagrant treachery. Nothing could be worse. With Paul, let us pray for the destruction of the flesh so that the spirit may be saved (1 Cor. 5:5).

We mourn with puritan Thomas Brooks:

When God lets the way to hell be a smooth and pleasant way, that is hell on this side hell, and a dreadful sign of God’s indignation against a man; a token of his rejection, and that God does not intend good unto him.Beware, Demas, if you are allowed to have your darling.
You who feel the weight of the curse daily; you who groan and sigh with the righteous (Ezek. 9:4); count yourself blessed. There are days when you can hardly take another step. The defamation of Christ is too rampant. But, take heart. The sun of righteousness will rise. Master is gone on a long journey. But he is coming back. Nothing will be greater than that day for all who love his appearing.