“‘But I Say Unto You…’ The Not So Easy Transition to Incarnation”

Matt. 5:21 ¶ “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’

Matt. 5:22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 

Matt. 5:17 ¶ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 

Matt. 5:18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 

In addition to pursuing a common cause, Ellen White had a missional motive in mind as well. She realized that by drawing close to those in the WCTU, Adventists could incarnate “present truth” to them and draw them into the three angels’ messages.

Shawn Brace, “Adventism & the Black Lives Matter Movement”