For those who have been a Christian for many years, it’s easy to think of our faith as something that comes naturally. We can grow complacent and assume our Christian routines please God. Those assumptions are unwise and unbiblical. 

Our faith should be an effort. Our walk with God should be a continual choice throughout the day. We lull ourselves into believing that our faith comes naturally after all of these years. Our faith will usually be an unnatural choice in our lives. 

Forgiveness rarely comes naturally. Choosing to rejoice, even when life is difficult, is an unnatural decision. Giving gratitude to God when it doesn’t seem like God is responding to our prayers is a choice that is often a fight against our natural feelings.

Jesus was preaching his Sermon on the Mount when he reminded his listeners that what they valued as “treasure” indicated where their heart was. Put another way, when you choose what to value in this life, you choose what will motivate your choices. 

The very important calling for every Christian is to choose God as their King. That means we don’t have a good choice apart from obedience to his will and his word. The Sermon on the Mount is all about choosing God as our King. So often in the Christian culture, we are encouraged to make God a friend instead of our “treasure.”

Is the Creator God your treasure? Is your relationship with him more valuable than any other relationship you have? We don’t mean to elevate our loved ones to a throne, but we often do. You can know who sits on the throne of your heart if you contemplate what motivates your choices.

Be grateful that we are not responsible for our lives. Be cautious that we aren’t responsible for our choices. That is God’s position in our lives.

Wisdom is offering our gratitude to God. How grateful are you for God’s role in your life as your King? Does that knowledge cause you to cringe a bit, or does it cause you to praise him with gratitude? Examine your thoughts and consider why you are truly grateful to God. Wisdom is being grateful for your King.