1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

We have a dual citizenship, if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are now citizens of His Kingdom. We are secondary citizens of this earth, sojourners, journeying in a foreign land, resident aliens of a sort.

Do you believe that? Is your first allegiance to the King of Kings? The reason I ask this is relevant to this issue of things that are freely given to us by God. These things are given to Kingdom citizens in the realm of the King, not of this earth. They are spiritual and manifest themselves through the Holy Spirit. They are not of this world.

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

If you seek earthly rewards, recognition, title, position, possessions and glory, that is a clear indication of where your allegiance lies. None of that is transferable to the Kingdom, they are not spiritual in nature.

Psalm 118:17-19 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:

How exactly should we know which treasures are laid up in heaven?

Psalm 118:23 This is the Lord‘s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

It is theft to glory in what the Lord has done.

2 Peter 3:16a As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood,

I did not quote the rest of this passage as I do not want this issue to be more difficult than it already is for us. Here Peter admits that Paul has gifts beyond his own. Peter has difficulty understanding everything that Paul writes. Peter who walked with the Lord wasn’t given perfect understanding.

Now here we are 2000 years later and we struggle with certain passages that threaten our peace. I can only offer to you this advice, for what it is worth. Your peace with God, your peace from God, is more precious and valuable than knowledge.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Do you demand perfect understanding from you children or grandchildren before you can love them? No, you just love them, knowing that love doesn’t make those kinds of demands. All we want for those precious little ones is for them to be safe, secure and happy while they can. We know what lays ahead for them, there is no need to burden them with hard truths until they are ready to handle it.

Would God who loves us with perfect love do any less for us?

Cling to His peace like a toddler clinging to your leg. There may be a little insecurity there but more love than doubt. We all struggle with perfect truth. Do not allow your doubt to shake your love for God or each other.

Psalm 63:8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. ESV

Perhaps the last verse of Peter’s epistle holds the best advice there.

Grow in grace.