It is interesting to compare and contrast Matthew 6:33 and 34 with Colossians 3:1 to 4. We quote these Scriptures for your consideration and study.

“SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.”

“TAKE NO THOUGHT FOR THE MORROW.” Matthew 6:33 and 34.

“IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.

“SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH. “FOR YE ARE DEAD, AND YOUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.

“WHEN CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE, SHALL APPEAR, THEN SHALL YE ALSO APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY.” Colossians 3:1 to 4.

In the Book of Matthew, Jesus is on earth, Israel’s Messiah, the King from heaven long promised to that nation. He is presenting the kingdom for which they have long waited. Included in the kingdom promises were blessings of physical healing, temporal prosperity, peace on earth, and Israel’s deliverance from Gentile political authority. Surely, with the Shepherd-King present, the kingdom subjects could declare, with David, the twenty-third Psalm, in perfect trust and confidence. The Shepherd-King said to His people, “Fear not, little flock”, “sell that ye have and give alms” Luke 12:32 and 33 “Take no thought for the morrow”.

In the Book of Colossians the same Lord. Jesus is not on earth presenting a kingdom to Israel, but is far above in the super-heavenlies, the Head of the Church which is His Body. The members of that Body are identified with the risen Head in death, burial and resurrection. They are seated with Him in the upper-heavenlies, and are waiting to appear with Him in glory. These facts are stated in Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 1:19 to 22 and Ephesians 2:6. The same thought is expressed in Philippians 3:20 and 21.

The believer in the Body of Christ is to seek those things which are above. He, too, is to know that God shall supply all of his needs according to the riches in glory by Christ Jesus. But surely while the King is away the member of Christ’s Body is not to be subject to the laws and principles that shall govern the kingdom which is to be established on this earth when the King returns to take His throne. The kingdom of the heavens, under the reign of Israel’s King, and the Church united to the risen Lord, have some blessings in common. But the member of the Body of Christ, who endeavors to obey Matthew, chapters five to seven, in all details, will find himself in a state of confusion which may lead to despair and skepticism when he learns that the blessings therein promised are unrealized. Surely the believers are not to be condemned for laying in their coal for the winter months or for storing up their fruits and vegetables in advance.

In this study we have a simple illustration of what the Lord means by “testing the things that differ”. And by searching the Scriptures we shall realize that we have the best things God ever gave any people.

For more articles by Pastor J. C. O'Hair, visit the J. C. O'Hair Online Library.