| Yesterday we noticed three Jewish friends who helped Paul. Today we look at three Gentile friends. Paul had a great capacity for friendship no matter what their nationality was. What a great illustration of the power of Christ which I transformed a narrow-minded Jew into an international evangelist. Epaphras came from Colosse so he knew the circumstances of the church and its need. He did not pray for material blessings for them but pleaded with God for their spiritual development. Epaphras longed that the Colossian Christians might fully develop in Christ and become mature Christians, absolutely certain of their position in Christ. Which do we pray for the most? The physical health of our friends or their spiritual development? Then there were Luke and Demas-the faithful friend and the unfaithful one. Paul called Luke the beloved physician. Paul had the gift of healing yet he had a medical doctor travelling with him. Paul was prepared to use ordinary means and trained personnel when this was needed. What about Demas? What happened to him? We would love to know more. Paul says nothing about him here. Is that silence significant? In 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul says that Demas J deserted him, having loved this present world. What does he mean? Did he love his own life too much to lay it down for Christ? Did the worldly attractions of Rome prove too much for him? We must not be too hard on Demas. All too often we ourselves put this world before Christ and put material possessions before spiritual power. Let Demas be a warning to us all. These were some of Paul's friends. Notice how much they meant to him. What about our friends? How many do we have? How much time do we spend with them? How often do we pray for them? Think over again the whole matter of friendship and ask God to make you the kind of friend he wants you to be. | 
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