Question: What does Matthew 5:25-26; and Luke 12:58-59 apply to? Who is the adversary?
Answer: Primarily this applies to Israel, who had broken God’s covenant, and when God sent His Son to them, they rejected Him also. They are now cast into prison because of their treatment of Christ, and there they will remain till the time of their restoration through the death of Christ (Isa. 40:1-2).
But we can also apply these scriptures to each Jew and Gentile now, for all have sinned against God, making God their adversary. But God loves them, and beseeches them to be reconciled to Him, and calls to them, “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.” And to those who believe on the Son, He gives full pardon for all their sins, and makes them children of God, accepted in the Beloved One, made meet to be partakers of the portion of the saints in light (Col. 1:12). They are perfected forever by the one great atoning sacrifice of Christ (Heb. 10:14). and so have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1).
There is also a modified way in which we might apply this scripture. If a Christian, a real child of God, sows to the flesh, and will not judge himself and confess his sin, he will reap corruption. The Lord has a contention with him; the Holy Spirit in him is grieved, and unless he confesses his sin, he is unhappy and his communion is broken. The Lord may need to chasten him, that he may be restored, but before doing so, He beseeches His loved one to hearken to Him, to open the door and let Him come in again into his life, that the Saviour and he may again sup, together (Rev. 3:19-20; Heb. 12:5-6; Eph. 5:14).