As Paul concluded the Colossian letter (4:7-18) he, as was his custom, made some personal observations as he sent greetings to and from a number of individuals. It is interesting to note his estimation of....

Tychius: "the beloved brother and faithful minister"----Onesimus: "the faithful and beloved brother"----Aristarchus: "my fellow prisoner"----Mark: "if he come unto you, receive him"----Jesus/Justus and all the above: "my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me"---- Epaphras: "a servant of Christ...he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis"----Luke: "the beloved physician"----Demas: a fellow-worker (see Philemon 24; both letters written at same time) ----Nymphas: "the church that is in their house"----Archippus: "take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it"

Paul's evaluation of these saints is instructive but those regarding Mark and Demas deserve our particular attention in light of his earlier estimation of the one and his later assessment of the other.

Mark: From Uselessness To Usefulness. Prior to his second preaching tour, "Paul thought it not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work" (Acts15:38) and such an evaluation caused a "sharp contention" between himself and Barnabas (vs.39). We don't know why Mark "withdrew" and didn't go with them, but in the intervening years this cousin of Barnabas had transformed so much that Paul, in his final imprisonment, told Timothy to "bring him with thee for he is useful to me for ministering" (2Tim.4:11). Like Mark, many brethren today need to change from being worthless to being worthwhile. Some have acquired bad attitudes, failed to develop talents, not grown in knowledge, have wrong priorities, etc., rendering themselves unfit to make a positive contribution to the Lord's work and, like Mark, they are of little value. How sad!

Demas: From Fellow-Worker To Quitter. At some point Demas developed a love for "this present world" that caused him to abandon his former companion as he faced execution, leaving only Luke with him (2Tim.4:9-11). And many today have, sadly, followed this example. It might be that, like Demas, "the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches" have choked the word causing them to become unfruitful (Matt.13:22). But whatever it is, an immediate return to "fellow-worker" status is imperative. Demas will not, on the judgment day, be able to plead, "I once was a fellow-worker with Paul"--- nor will our "used to be" pleas make any difference with God. What we are, not what we were, is all that will matter.

How do those who know us best evaluate our spiritual character and value to the Lord's work? Is it, "beloved brother, faithful minister, fellow-worker, servant of Christ, a comfort," etc.? Or do they say, "Fine people to be around, great forty-two players....." but no positive things to say about our impact upon and contribution to the Lord's work? Or perhaps our brethren speak of our usefulness in the past tense and our apostasy in the present.

While God's assessment of us should be our primary concern, the spiritual evaluations of others and the commendations or censure that grow out of them are not insignificant (Rom.16:1-15,21 -24; 1 Tim.1:20; 2Tim. 1:15). Few evaluations should mean as much as what Paul said of Mark---"he is useful to me for ministering".