June 30, 2004

[Kidan]

Quote[/b] ]Agree with your adversary quickly . . .
—Matthew 5:25

Quote[/b] ]In this verse, Jesus Christ laid down a very important principle by saying, "Do what you know you must do— now. Do it quickly. If you don’t, an inevitable process will begin to work ’till you have paid the last penny’ ( Matthew 5:26 ) in pain, agony, and distress." God’s laws are unchangeable and there is no escape from them. The teachings of Jesus always penetrate right to the heart of our being.

Wanting to make sure that my adversary gives me all my rights is a natural thing. But Jesus says that it is a matter of inescapable and eternal importance to me that I pay my adversary what I owe him. From our Lord’s standpoint it doesn’t matter whether I am cheated or not, but what does matter is that I don’t cheat someone else. Am I insisting on having my own rights, or am I paying what I owe from Jesus Christ’s standpoint?

Do it quickly— bring yourself to judgment now. In moral and spiritual matters, you must act immediately. If you don’t, the inevitable, relentless process will begin to work. God is determined to have His child as pure, clean, and white as driven snow, and as long as there is disobedience in any point of His teaching, He will allow His Spirit to use whatever process it may take to bring us to obedience. The fact that we insist on proving that we are right is almost always a clear indication that we have some point of disobedience. No wonder the Spirit of God so strongly urges us to stay steadfastly in the light! (see John 3:19-21 ).

"Agree with your adversary quickly . . . ." Have you suddenly reached a certain place in your relationship with someone, only to find that you have anger in your heart? Confess it quickly— make it right before God. Be reconciled to that person— do it now!

 

[Kidan]

This is an interesting concept. One that I know I have oft stumbled over. You see, I am by my very nature a procrastanator. In school, I always put off studying, reports, etc until the last possible minute. The fact that I'm able to work fast, and am a rather bright individual has always been a factor that's lead to me being an even worse procrastinator, because I could usually get away with it.

Yet here, Jesus is telling us that we should not procrastinate. especially when it concerns others. We should be ready, and quick to forgive. Ready and quick to pay our debts. Ready and quick to do any and all that is asked of us in His name.

Not because it's helpful for us, not because it's good manners, not because it keeps you employed, but because it's what Christ expects us to do.

God expects us to do what we know to be right, quickly immediately, and without hesitation. God expects His people to be pristing beings. How can we be pristine, when we allow ourselves to wallow in the filth that delay causes?

Think today, is there anyone you haven't forgiven? If so, go out and do it now.