It is amazing what some brethren can get from a single verse of scripture. As an example, it seems that Matt. 5:16 would justify all manner of self praise. Note: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Whether based on the above scripture or not, a church in Houston, Texas saw itself justified in buying an entire half page in the local newspaper to be used to broadcast before all of East Texas her many wonderful works. One was almost made to think that the entire restoration had its very being in movement in the area that particular church.

What that church needed to realize was that there is a vast difference between letting your light shine and going about "shining your light." Much of what passes as light shining is little more than self-glorification. In doing such we have our reward. Let us allow our lights to shine to the glory of God, but may we never shine our lights to be seen of men.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XII: 10, p. 2a
July 1968