Agreement with God: The Urgent Call to Reconciliation

Christ's command to "agree with thine adversary" (Matthew 5:26) extends beyond earthly disputes to the deepest spiritual reality: Man, by sin, has made Elohim his adversary. Yet Yahweh has opened a way of reconciliation for sinners who have grossly offended Him.

Three critical truths emerge. First, God remains adversary to every child of Adam who has not availed himself of pardon—the man of private virtue no less than the profligate. Second, the business of agreement with God permits no delay. "Whiles thou art in the way," the opportunity exists; all chances for reconciliation are confined to this present life. Third, the consequences of remaining unreconciled are indescribably dreadful and eternal.

The Lord warns us to make our Christian peace in time. We must take care that our sacramental offering of charity and forgiveness be not delayed, lest among the many partings of this world we lose sight of our adversary forever. To Adonai the unreconciled quarrels of this world must be referred. He will exact the uttermost farthing from those who have been unkind and unforgiving to their fellow-servants.

The heart—the seat of virtue or vice—determines our standing before God. Actions alone are the public representatives of private sentiment. Reconciliation begins not in contemplation but in immediate agreement with the God who even now waits to come into accord with you.