Lutherans are accused of having a non-demonstrative faith, and often with justification. We could all stand to be a little more honest about the amazing role God plays in our lives. No doubt.

On the flip side, I have seen faith that is over demonstrative. Demonstrative faith is not bad…far from it. The question becomes “why do we deomonstrate?” If it is a genuine expression of an experience of grace so powerful that we cannot help but share it, that’s great. If it is to place ourselves/our faith/our identity as a child of God on a pedestal, well, that’s a different story.

Faith that demonstrates to show ourselves becomes idolatrous, and places ourselves squarely in the center of that faith. If the root of human sin is the desire to be God ourselves, then the risk is great and periolous.

Treading that line….finding that way to be honest and genuine…that is the challenge.