What does your friend think of the fact that Jesus Himself ate meat?

If eating meat, ice cream, and chocolate is indeed a sin then the motive for not eating it would, at least, include not wanting to sin. And the motives for not wanting to sin could include fear of retribution (now [disease] and later [dying in the lake of fire]) and/or a desire to be in heaven with Jesus.

SC 21, 22
Oh, let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been made for us! Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy that Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost, and bring them back to the Father's house. Motives stronger, and agencies more powerful, could never be brought into operation; the exceeding rewards for right-doing, the enjoyment of heaven, the society of the angels, the communion and love of God and His Son, the elevation and extension of all our powers throughout eternal ages--are these not mighty incentives and encouragements to urge us to give the heart's loving service to our Creator and Redeemer? {SC 21.3}

And, on the other hand, the judgments of God pronounced against sin, the inevitable retribution, the degradation of our character, and the final destruction, are presented in God's word to warn us against the service of Satan. {SC 21.4}

Knowing whether or not it is a sin to eat this or that is critical to our salvation. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do is motive enough, isn't it?

Not wanting to lose out on heaven and not wanting to end up in the lake of fire are good motives for obeying Jesus, aren't they? Or, are they selfish and self-serving motives? If so, why, then, did Sister White list them?

I didn't ask them what they think of Jesus eating meat while He was here. I suspect they would say something to the effect - Meat eating was never the ideal diet, but when better food isn't readily available then eating meat becomes a necessary evil.

Eating meat in Jesus' time wasn't as bad as eating meat now because the animals weren't as diseased.

An interesting question would be if Jesus came in our time, with animals in the state they are now, would Jesus eat a small portion of meat in order not to offend his brother. Or eat ice cream.

We see from the Gospel record that Jesus had a reputation, from some who were looking at things to get him with, of being a glutton and winebibber. It's not clear if this is based on any actual behavior on Jesus' part or if it was just guilt by association, because He hung out with tax-collectors and other sinners.

Some other (difficult) things to think about.

1) The priests in the temple were required to eat meat

2) Jesus could have multiplied some fruit, or He could have multiplied just the bread and not the fish.

MH 302
If milk is used, it should be thoroughly sterilized; with this precaution, there is less danger of contracting disease from its use. Butter is less harmful when eaten on cold bread than when used in cooking; but, as a rule, it is better to dispense with it altogether. Cheese is still more objectionable; it is wholly unfit for food. {MH 302.1}

MH 320, 321
Those who live in new countries or in poverty-stricken districts, where fruits and nuts are scarce, should not be urged to exclude milk and eggs from their dietary. It is true that persons in full flesh and in whom the animal passions are strong need to avoid the use of stimulating foods. Especially in families of children who are given to sensual habits, eggs should not be used. But in the case of persons whose blood-making organs are feeble,--especially if other foods to supply the needed elements cannot be obtained,--milk and eggs should not be wholly discarded. Great care should be taken, however, to obtain milk from healthy cows, and eggs from healthy fowls, that are well fed and well cared for; and the eggs should be so cooked as to be most easily digested. {MH 320.1}

The diet reform should be progressive. As disease in animals increases, the use of milk and eggs will become more and more unsafe. An effort should be made to supply their place with other things that are healthful and inexpensive. The people everywhere should be taught how to cook without milk and eggs, so far as possible, and yet have their food wholesome and palatable. {MH 320.2}

Has the time come yet to adopt a vegan diet? Or, are we still waiting for that time to come?

CD 204, 205
The time will come when milk cannot be used as freely as it is now used; but the present time is not the time to discard it. And eggs contain properties which are remedial agen-cies in counteracting poisons. And while warnings have been given against the use of these articles of diet in families where the children were addicted to, yes, steeped in, habits of self-abuse; yet we should not consider it a denial of principle to use eggs of hens which are well cared for and suitably fed. {CD 204.4}

CD 206
The time will come when we may have to discard some of the articles of diet we now use, such as milk and cream and eggs; but my message is that you must not bring yourself to a time of trouble beforehand, and thus afflict yourself with death. Wait till the Lord prepares the way before you. {CD 206.1}

CD 208
The time will come when we may have to discard some of the articles of diet we now use, such as milk and cream and eggs; but it is not necessary to bring upon ourselves perplexity by premature and extreme restrictions. Wait until the circumstances demand it, and the Lord prepares the way for it. {CD 208.1}

CD 349
Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how to prepare food without the use of milk or butter. Tell them that the time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men. The time is near when, because of the iniquity of the fallen race, the whole animal creation will groan under the diseases that curse our earth. {CD 349.1}

CD 3551
Milk, eggs, and butter should not be classed with flesh meat. In some cases the use of eggs is beneficial. The time has not come to say that the use of milk and eggs should be wholly discarded. There are poor families whose diet consists largely of bread and milk. They have little fruit, and cannot afford to purchase the nut foods. In teaching health reform, as in all other gospel work, we are to meet the people where they are. Until we can teach them how to prepare health reform foods that are palatable, nourishing, and yet inexpensive, we are not at liberty to present the most advanced propositions regarding health reform diet. {CD 351.2}

CD 359
In all parts of the world provision will be made to supply the place of milk and eggs. And the Lord will let us know when the time comes to give up these articles. He desires all to feel that they have a gracious heavenly Father who will instruct them in all things. The Lord will give dietetic art and skill to His people in all parts of the world, teaching them how to use for the sustenance of life the products of the earth. {CD 359.3}

It is so wonderful to be able to believe whatever we wish. It is much more wonderful that the Creator does not make His decisions based on what presumptuous humans believe. The one area in which He has predicated his actions on our actions we have chosen to ignore but we are busy in other insignificant areas.

Darius,

What may be insignificant to some may be significant to others, therefore, please respect this right accordingly.

That was not the sense in which I used that term, but I understand your concern. "Less significant" may have been more acceptable.