Truth “as it is in Jesus”

One of the simple tests that every person must use is Ellen White’s focus: the truth must be presented “as it is in Jesus.” ^{45In Ellen White’s published writings, she used the phrase, “the truth as it is in Jesus,” hundreds of times.} Did she live up to her challenge to others? She used this phrase in three ways:MOL 522.7

1. If Christians are to “stand firm” in the crises of life, “they must receive the truth as it is in Jesus.... Let the sinner behold Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life, and his soul will be open to receive the truth as it is in Jesus.” ^{46General Conference Daily Bulletin, January 28, 1893, p. 14.} Ellen White dispelled all theological fog when she talked about this central truth: “The salvation of the soul, through faith in Christ, is the ground and pillar of the truth. Those who exercise true faith in Christ make it manifest by holiness of character, by obedience to the law of God. They realize that the truth as it is in Jesus reaches heaven, and compasses eternity.” ^{47The Review and Herald, September 17, 1895.}MOL 522.8

2. Christians who teach others must “believe and teach the truth as it is in Jesus. Holiness of heart will never lead to impure actions.” ^{48The Review and Herald, November 10, 1885. “We are to present the truth as it is in Jesus, made fragrant and attractive by the grace and the courtesy that characterized the life of Christ.... Why do those who claim to be advanced in knowledge, make themselves objectionable, and bring the truth into disrepute? It is because the truth has not been permitted to sanctify their unholy dispositions. Those who misrepresent the truth are harsh, unsympathetic, and denunciatory.” The Signs of the Times, August 21, 1893. “And what course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have the unchangeable, eternal Word of God, and they should reveal the fact that they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be rugged and sharp. In their presentation of truth they must manifest the love and meekness and gentleness of Christ.” The Review and Herald, October 14, 1902.} Jesus set the example by reflecting His teachings in His life habits. Sound doctrine without the spirit of Jesus is not teaching truth “as it is in Jesus.”MOL 522.9

3. Christians must present the gospel in all of its coherency and completeness. The problems that divide Christians in all churches are caused by each division seeing only parts of the gospel. Not seeing the completeness of the gospel leads to widespread resistance to obeying God’s law as a basic component in the plan of salvation. Ellen White emphasizes that those who are “unacquainted with the laws of God’s government ... are unacquainted with the truth as it is in Jesus.... He that knows the truth as it is in the law, knows the truth as it is in Jesus; and if through faith in Christ he renders obedience to the commandments of God, his life is hid with Christ in God.” ^{49The Review and Herald, June 17, 1890.}MOL 522.10

Adventists have been known as “the people of the Book.” Probably this description was more apt during the church’s first one hundred years. Nevertheless, as the Institute of Church Ministry reported, Adventists today who habitually read Ellen White are also the Bible students of the church compared with those who do not read her regularly. ^{50See footnote 14.} There is something about Ellen White’s messages that promotes faithful Bible study.MOL 522.11

From another viewpoint, hundreds of thousands witness to the fact that Ellen White has made the difference in making theology accessible to the average church member. How else can it be explained that a large percentage of Adventists through the years have been actively involved in daily Bible study and conversant about theological subjects normally reserved for professional theologians?MOL 523.1