020610: Steps to Life: Son-Shine in This World

Memory Texts:
From the Bible:
“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the
perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18.

From the Spirit of Prophecy:

“The piety of the Christian constitutes the standard by which worldlings judge the gospel.
Trials patiently borne, blessings gratefully received, meekness, kindness, mercy, and love,
habitually exhibited, are the lights that shine forth in the character before the world,
revealing the contrast with the darkness that comes of the selfishness of the natural heart.”
Patriarchs and Prophets, 134.

Introductory Readings:
“The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin; it means taking away our
sins, and filling the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination,
rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self, and blessed with the abiding presence of
Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul, there is purity, freedom from sin. The glory, the
fullness, the completeness of the gospel plan is fulfilled in the life. The acceptance of the
Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance. The beauty and
fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in the life testifies that God has indeed sent His
Son into the world to be its Saviour.
“ ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.’ Isaiah 60:1.
To those who go out to meet the Bridegroom is this message given. Christ is coming with
power and great glory. He is coming with His own glory and with the glory of the Father. He
is coming with all the holy angels with Him. While all the world is plunged in darkness, there
will be light in every dwelling of the saints. They will catch the first light of His second
appearing. The unsullied light will shine from His splendor, and Christ the Redeemer will be
admired by all who have served Him. While the wicked flee from His presence, Christ’s
followers will rejoice. The patriarch Job, looking down to the time of Christ’s second advent,
said, ‘Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not a stranger.’ Job
19:27, margin. To His faithful followers Christ has been a daily companion and familiar
friend. They have lived in close contact, in constant communion with God. Upon them the
glory of the Lord has risen. In them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Jesus Christ has been reflected. Now they rejoice in the undimmed rays of the brightness
and glory of the King in His majesty. They are prepared for the communion of heaven; for
they have heaven in their hearts.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 419-421.

Spirit of Prophecy Reading:

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 38-44.
When love fills the heart, it will flow out to others, not because of favors received from them, but
because love is the principle of action. Love modifies the character, governs the impulses,
subdues enmity, and ennobles the affections. This love is as broad as the universe, and is in
harmony with that of the angel workers. Cherished in the heart, it sweetens the entire life and
sheds its blessing upon all around. It is this, and this only, that can make us the salt of the earth.
{MB 38.1}
020610: Steps to Life: Son-Shine in This World

"Ye are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14.

As Jesus taught the people, He made His lessons interesting and held the attention of His
hearers by frequent illustrations from the scenes of nature about them. The people had come
together while it was yet morning. The glorious sun, climbing higher and higher in the blue sky,
was chasing away the shadows that lurked in the valleys and among the narrow defiles of the
mountains. The glory of the eastern heavens had not yet faded out. The sunlight flooded the
land with its splendor; the placid surface of the lake reflected the golden light and mirrored the
rosy clouds of morning. Every bud and flower and leafy spray glistened with dewdrops. Nature
smiled under the benediction of a new day, and the birds sang sweetly among the trees. The
Saviour looked upon the company before Him, and then to the rising sun, and said to His
disciples, "Ye are the light of the world." As the sun goes forth on its errand of love, dispelling
the shades of night and awakening the world to life, so the followers of Christ are to go forth on
their mission, diffusing the light of heaven upon those who are in the darkness of error and sin.
{MB 38.2}
In the brilliant light of the morning, the towns and villages upon the surrounding hills stood forth
clearly, making an attractive feature of the scene. Pointing to them, Jesus said, "A city set on a
hill cannot be hid." And he added, "Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but
on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house." R.V. Most of those who listened to
the words of Jesus were peasants and fishermen whose lowly dwellings contained but one
room, in which the single lamp on its stand shone to all in the house. Even so, said Jesus, "Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven." {MB 39.1}
No other light ever has shone or ever will shine upon fallen man save that which emanates from
Christ. Jesus, the Saviour, is the only light that can illuminate the darkness of a world lying in
sin. Of Christ it is written, "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4. It was by
receiving of His life that His disciples could become light bearers. The life of Christ in the soul,
His love revealed in the character, would make them the light of the world. {MB 39.2}
Humanity has in itself no light. Apart from Christ we are like an unkindled taper, like the moon
when her face is turned away from the sun; we have not a single ray of brightness to shed into
the darkness of the world. But when we turn toward the Sun of Righteousness, when we come
in touch with Christ, the whole soul is aglow with the brightness of the divine presence. {MB
40.1}
Christ's followers are to be more than a light in the midst of men. They are the light of the world.
Jesus says to all who have named His name, You have given yourselves to Me, and I have
given you to the world as My representatives. As the Father had sent Him into the world, so, He
declares, "have I also sent them into the world." John 17:18. As Christ is the channel for the
revelation of the Father, so we are to be the channel for the revelation of Christ. While our
Saviour is the great source of illumination, forget not, O Christian, that He is revealed through
humanity. God's blessings are bestowed through human instrumentality. Christ Himself came to
the world as the Son of man. Humanity, united to the divine nature, must touch humanity. The
church of Christ, every individual disciple of the Master, is heaven's appointed channel for the
revelation of God to men. Angels of glory wait to communicate through you heaven's light and
power to souls that are ready to perish. Shall the human agent fail of accomplishing his
appointed work? Oh, then to that degree is the world robbed of the promised influence of the
Holy Spirit! {MB 40.2}
But Jesus did not bid the disciples, "Strive to make your light shine;" He said, "Let it shine." If
Christ is dwelling in the heart, it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence. If those who
profess to be followers of Christ are not the light of the world, it is because the vital power has
020610: Steps to Life: Son-Shine in This World

left them; if they have no light to give, it is because they have no connection with the Source of
light. {MB 41.1}
In all ages the "Spirit of Christ which was in them" (1 Peter 1:11) has made God's true children
the light of the people of their generation. Joseph was a light bearer in Egypt. In his purity and
benevolence and filial love he represented Christ in the midst of a nation of idolaters. While the
Israelites were on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land, the true-hearted among them
were a light to the surrounding nations. Through them God was revealed to the world. From
Daniel and his companions in Babylon, and from Mordecai in Persia, bright beams of light
shone out amid the darkness of the kingly courts. In like manner the disciples of Christ are set
as light bearers on the way to heaven; through them the Father's mercy and goodness are
made manifest to a world enshrouded in the darkness of misapprehension of God. By seeing
their good works, others are led to glorify the Father who is above; for it is made manifest that
there is a God on the throne of the universe whose character is worthy of praise and imitation.
The divine love glowing in the heart, the Christlike harmony manifested in the life, are as a
glimpse of heaven granted to men of the world, that they may appreciate its excellence. {MB
41.2}
It is thus that men are led to believe "the love that God hath to us." 1 John 4:16. Thus hearts
once sinful and corrupt are purified and transformed, to be presented "faultless before the
presence of His glory with exceeding joy." Jude 24. {MB 42.1}
The Saviour's words, "Ye are the light of the world," point to the fact that He has committed to
His followers a world-wide mission. In the days of Christ, selfishness and pride and prejudice
had built strong and high the wall of partition between the appointed guardians of the sacred
oracles and every other nation on the globe. But the Saviour had come to change all this. The
words which the people were hearing from His lips were unlike anything to which they had ever
listened from priest or rabbi. Christ tears away the wall of partition, the self-love, the dividing
prejudice of nationality, and teaches a love for all the human family. He lifts men from the
narrow circle that their selfishness prescribes; He abolishes all territorial lines and artificial
distinctions of society. He makes no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and
enemies. He teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our neighbor and the world as our
field. {MB 42.2}
As the rays of the sun penetrate to the remotest corners of the globe, so God designs that the
light of the gospel shall extend to every soul upon the earth. If the church of Christ were fulfilling
the purpose of our Lord, light would be shed upon all that sit in darkness and in the region and
shadow of death. Instead of congregating together and shunning responsibility and cross
bearing, the members of the church would scatter into all lands, letting the light of Christ shine
out from them, working as He did for the salvation of souls, and this "gospel of the kingdom"
would speedily be carried to all the world. {MB 42.3}
It is thus that God's purpose in calling His people, from Abraham on the plains of Mesopotamia
to us in this age, is to reach its fulfillment. He says, "I will bless thee, . . . and thou shalt be a
blessing." Genesis 12:2. The words of Christ through the gospel prophet, which are but re-
echoed in the Sermon on the Mount, are for us in this last generation: "Arise, shine; for thy light
is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1. If upon your spirit the glory of
the Lord is risen, if you have beheld His beauty who is "the chiefest among ten thousand" and
the One "altogether lovely," if your souls has become radiant in the presence of His glory, to you
is this word from the Master sent. Have you stood with Christ on the mount of transfiguration?
Down in the plain there are souls enslaved by Satan; they are waiting for the word of faith and
prayer to set them free. {MB 43.1}
020610: Steps to Life: Son-Shine in This World

We are not only to contemplate the glory of Christ, but also to speak of His excellences. Isaiah
not only beheld the glory of Christ, but he also spoke of Him. While David mused, the fire
burned; then spoke he with his tongue. While he mused upon the wondrous love of God he
could not but speak of that which he saw and felt. Who can by faith behold the wonderful plan of
redemption, the glory of the only-begotten Son of God, and not speak of it? Who can
contemplate the unfathomable love that was manifested upon the cross of Calvary in the death
of Christ, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life--who can behold this and have no
words with which to extol the Saviour's glory? {MB 43.2}
"In His temple doth everyone speak of His glory." Psalm 29:9. The sweet singer of Israel praised
Him upon the harp, saying, "I will speak of the glorious honor of Thy majesty, and of Thy
wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of Thy terrible acts: and I will declare Thy
greatness." Psalm 145:5, 6. {MB 44.1}
The cross of Calvary is to be lifted high above the people, absorbing their minds and
concentrating their thoughts. Then all the spiritual faculties will be charged with divine power
direct from God. Then there will be a concentration of the energies in genuine work for the
Master. The workers will send forth to the world beams of light, as living agencies to enlighten
the earth. {MB 44.2}
Christ accepts, oh, so gladly, every human agency that is surrendered to Him. He brings the
human into union with the divine, that He may communicate to the world the mysteries of
incarnate love. Talk it, pray it, sing it; proclaim abroad the message of His glory, and keep
pressing onward to the regions beyond. {MB 44.3}
Trials patiently borne, blessings gratefully received, temptations manfully resisted, meekness,
kindness, mercy, and love habitually revealed, are the lights that shine forth in the character in
contrast with the darkness of the selfish heart, into which the light of life has never shone. {MB
44.4}

Bible Study Questions:

1. What is it that is stealing away our vital powers and chilling us to death in this dark,
cold world? Isaiah 58:7-11.
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out
to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not
thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and
thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee;
the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall
answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst
of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw
out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in
obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee
continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt
be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah
58:7-11 KJV)
Note. “I have read of a man who, journeying on a winter’s day through the deep, drifted
snow, became benumbed by the cold which was almost imperceptibly stealing away his vital
powers. And as he was nearly chilled to death by the embrace of the frost king, and about to
give up the struggle for life, he heard the moans of a brother traveler, who was perishing
with cold as he was about to perish. His humility was aroused to rescue him. He chafed the
ice-clad limbs of the unfortunate man, and, after considerable effort, raised him to his feet;
and as he could not stand, he bore him in sympathizing arms through the very drifts he had
020610: Steps to Life: Son-Shine in This World

thought he could never succeed in getting through alone. And when he had borne his fellow
traveler to a place of safety, the truth flashed home to him that in saving his neighbor he had
saved himself also. His earnest efforts to save another quickened the blood which was
freezing in his own veins, and created a healthful warmth in the extremities of the body.”
Christian Service, 92, 93.
2. What belongs to the whole world that we should never hoard or keep to ourselves?
Matthew 5:14.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14
KJV)
Note. “Christ does not bid His followers strive to shine. He says, Let your light shine. If you
have received the grace of God, the light is in you. Remove the obstructions, and the Lord’s
glory will be revealed. The light will shine forth to penetrate and dispel the darkness. You
cannot help shining within the range of your influence.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 420.
3. Those who come out of the world in spirit will seek to answer what prayer? Matthew
6:10.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10 KJV)
Note. “Those who come out of the world in spirit and in all practice may regard themselves
as sons and daughters of God. … Those who seek to answer the prayer, ‘Thy will be done
in earth, as it is in heaven’ [Matthew 6:10], will seek by living pure, sanctified lives to show to
the world how the will of God is done in heaven.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1102.
4. To arise means to accept it and act upon it; to shine means to impart or communicate
to others. Darkness is covering the world; what are we to do? Isaiah 60:1.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
(Isaiah 60:1 KJV)
Note. “While our Saviour is the great source of illumination, forget not, O Christian, that He
is revealed through humanity. God’s blessings are bestowed through human instrumentality.
Christ Himself came to the world as the Son of man. Humanity, united to the divine nature,
must touch humanity. The church of Christ, every individual disciple of the Master, is
heaven’s appointed channel for the revelation of God to men. Angels of glory wait to
communicate through you heaven’s light and power to souls that are ready to perish. Shall
the human agent fail of accomplishing his appointed work? Oh, then to that degree is the
world robbed of the promised influence of the Holy Spirit!” Thoughts from the Mount of
Blessing, 40.
5. To shine means to radiate or to reflect light. Who is it that is to radiate and reflect?
Matthew 5:14; Proverbs 4:18. If we do not radiate, what kind of iceberg are we? See
Note.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14
KJV)
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the
perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18 KJV)
Note. “A soul filled with the love of Jesus lends to the words, the manners, the looks, hope,
courage and serenity. It reveals the spirit of Christ. It breathes a love which will be reflected.
It awakens a desire for a better life; souls ready to faint are strengthened; those struggling
against temptation will be fortified and comforted. The words, the expression, the manners
020610: Steps to Life: Son-Shine in This World

throw out a bright ray of sunshine, and leave behind them a clear path toward heaven, the
source of all light. Every one of us has opportunities of helping others. We are constantly
making impressions upon the youth about us. The expression of the countenance is itself a
mirror of the life within. Jesus desires that we shall become like Himself, filled with tender
sympathy, exerting a ministry of love in the small duties of life. …
“The light of many does not burn or shine. They are moral icebergs.” “Ellen G. White
Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, 1156, 1157.
“Paul carried with him through his life on earth the very atmosphere of heaven. All who
associated with him felt the influence of his connection with Christ and companionship with
angels. Here lies the power of the truth.” The Story of Redemption, 318.
6. Knowing that we are to be channels through whom light from heaven flows, should
we be blocking the light from flowing? Luke 19:21, 22.
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst
not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine
own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere
man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: (Luke 19:21-22
KJV)
Note. “Their words and works are the channel through which the pure principles of truth and
holiness are conveyed to the world. They are the salt of the earth and the light thereof.”
Testimonies, vol. 1, 262.
“From the beginning God has wrought through His people to bring blessing to the world. To
the ancient Egyptian nation God made Joseph a fountain of life. Through the integrity of
Joseph the life of that whole people was preserved. Through Daniel God saved the life of all
the wise men of Babylon. And these deliverances are as object lessons; they illustrate the
spiritual blessings offered to the world through connection with the God whom Joseph and
Daniel worshiped. Everyone in whose heart Christ abides, everyone who will show forth His
love to the world, is a worker together with God for the blessing of humanity. As he receives
from the Saviour grace to impart to others, from his whole being flows forth the tide of
spiritual life.” The Acts of the Apostles, 13.
“The Jews thought to confine the benefits of salvation to their own nation; but Christ showed
them that salvation is like the sunshine. It belongs to the whole world. The religion of the
Bible is not to be confined between the covers of a book, nor within the walls of a church. It
is not to be brought out occasionally for our own benefit, and then to be carefully laid aside
again. It is to sanctify the daily life, to manifest itself in every business transaction and in all
our social relations.” The Desire of Ages, 306, 307.
7. Should we allow our light to fail? The Great Teacher shares with us how not to let that
light fail. John 8:12.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12
KJV)
Note. “The only light that can illuminate the darkness of a world lying in sin must come from
Christ, and this light is granted to all who will receive it. ‘For,’ said the great Teacher, ‘he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life’ [John 8:12].
“ ‘Shall Christians, shining for tempted sinners, allow their light to fail?’
“Think of this, professed Christians! A failure to let your light shine, a neglect to obtain
heavenly wisdom that you may have light from God, may cause the loss of a soul! What is
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the life lost at sea, in comparison with the eternal life which may be lost through your
unfaithfulness? Can you endure the thought?” The Review and Herald, January 24, 1882.
8. If a life does not reflect the principles of the truth, what has happened? Matthew 5:15.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it
giveth light unto all that are in the house. (Matthew 5:15 KJV)
Note. “The man or woman who has a knowledge of the truth, but whose life does not
express its principles, is hiding his light. My brethren, let the light be brought from under the
bushel, that it may make known the truths of the gospel.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers,
and Students, 398.
9. As the branch is grafted into the vine, the nourishment flows into the branch and
fruits come forth. What are these fruits and how does that relate to what we have
been studying? John 15:1-5; Galatians 5:22, 23.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth
not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may
bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto
you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide
in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me
ye can do nothing. (John 15:1-5 KJV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)
Note. “What is it to bear fruit? It is not all comprised in coming to meeting once a week, and
bearing our testimony in prayer or social meeting. We are to be found day by day abiding in
the Vine, and bringing forth fruit, with patience, at our home, in our business; and in every
relation in life manifesting the Spirit of Christ. There are many who act as though they
thought an occasional connection with Christ was all that was necessary, and that they can
be accounted living branches because at times they make confession of Christ. But this is a
fallacy. The branch is to be grafted into the Vine, and to abide there, uniting itself to the Vine
fiber by fiber, drawing its daily supply of sap and nourishment from the root and fatness of
the Vine, until it becomes one with the parent stock. The sap that nourishes the Vine must
nourish the branch and this will be evident in the life of him who is abiding in Christ; for the
joy of Christ will be fulfilled in him who walks not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” “Ellen G.
White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1144.
10. What makes our professions worthless? John 15:6.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather
them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6 KJV)
Note. “Our professions are worthless unless we abide in Christ; for we cannot be living
branches unless the vital qualities of the Vine abound in us. In the genuine Christian the
characteristics of his Master will appear, and when we reflect the graces of Christ in our lives
and characters, the Father loves us as He loves His Son. When this condition is fulfilled in
those who profess to believe the present truth, we shall see a prosperous church; for its
members will not live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them, and they will be
flourishing branches of the living Vine.” Ibid.