"August 22, 1857, at the house of prayer in Monterey, Michigan, I was shown that many have not yet heard the voice of Jesus, and the saving message has not taken hold of the soul and worked a reformation in the life. Many of the young have not the spirit of Jesus. The love of God is not in their hearts, therefore all the natural besetments hold the victory instead of the Spirit of God and salvation. 1T 154.1"
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
EGW's statement that 'many have not the spirit of Jesus' and that 'the love of God is not in their hearts' directly parallels Paul's assertion in Romans 8:9 that those without the Spirit of Christ do not belong to Him.
"Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:"
Both passages describe a state of spiritual darkness and alienation from God. EGW speaks of those who haven't heard the voice of Jesus and whose lives haven't been reformed, while Ephesians 4:18 describes darkened understanding and alienation from the life of God.
"Those who really possess the religion of Jesus will not be ashamed nor afraid to bear the cross before those who have more experience than they. They will, if they earnestly long to be right, desire all the help they can get from older Christians. Gladly will they be helped by them; hearts that are warmed by love to God will not be hindered by trifles in the Christian course. They will talk out what the Spirit of God works in. They will sing it out, pray it out. It is the lack of religion, lack of holy living, that makes the young backward. Their life condemns them. They know they do not live as Christians should, therefore they have not confidence toward God, or before the church. 1T 154.2"
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
The EGW passage directly references 'bearing the cross' and connects it to following Jesus, which is the central theme of Matthew 16:24.
"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"
The EGW passage speaks of expressing one's faith through talking, singing, and praying, which aligns with the idea of 'continuing instant in prayer' in Romans 12:12. Both passages touch on the outward expression of inner faith.
"Why the young feel more liberty when the older ones are absent is: They are with those of their kind. Each thinks he is as good as the other. All fail of the mark, but measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves among themselves, and neglect the only perfect and true standard. Jesus is the true Pattern. His self- sacrificing life is our example. 1T 154.3"
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
The EGW passage directly echoes the language of 2 Corinthians 10:12 regarding comparing oneself to others and measuring oneself by oneself.
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"
1 Peter 2:21 speaks of Christ leaving us an example to follow, which aligns directly with EGW's statement about Jesus being the 'true Pattern' and His life being our example.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
While Hebrews 12:2 focuses on Jesus' endurance and example, the EGW passage also emphasizes Jesus as the 'true Pattern' and His self-sacrificing life as an example. The connection is thematic, focusing on Jesus as an example, but not a direct principle.