The people of God must move understandingly. They should not be satisfied until every known sin is confessed; then it is their privilege and duty to believe that Jesus accepts them. They must not wait for others to press through the darkness and obtain the victory for them to enjoy. Such enjoyment will last only till the meeting closes. But God must be served from principle instead of from feeling. Morning and night obtain the victory for yourselves in your own family. Let not your daily labor keep you from this. Take time to pray, and as you pray, believe that God hears you. Have faith mixed with your prayers. You may not at all times feel the immediate answer; but then it is that faith is tried. You are proved to see whether you will trust in God, whether you have living, abiding faith. “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” Walk the narrow plank of faith. Trust all on the promises of the Lord. Trust God in darkness. That is the time to have faith. But you often let …
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
EGW directly addresses confession of sin and the assurance of forgiveness, which aligns perfectly with the principle stated in 1 John 1:9.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of faith in pleasing God and trusting in Him, which aligns with the core message of Hebrews 11:6. The verse is not directly quoted, but the principle is clearly present.
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Both passages encourage private prayer and a personal relationship with God. Matthew 6:6 speaks of praying in secret and receiving a reward openly, while the EGW passage speaks of obtaining victory in one's own family through prayer. The theme of personal, consistent prayer is present in both.
"Confound not faith and feeling together. They are distinct. Faith is ours to exercise. This faith we must keep in exercise. Believe, believe. Let your faith take hold of the blessing, and it is yours. Your feelings have nothing to do with this faith. When faith brings the blessing to your heart, and you rejoice in the blessing, it is no more faith, but feeling. 1T 167.2"
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
EGW's statement about faith being distinct from feeling and needing to be exercised aligns with the concept of faith as 'the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as something tangible and real, not merely emotional.
"The people of God in New York must steadily rise, and come out of darkness, and let their light shine. They are standing right in the way of the work of God. They must let the message of the third angel do its work upon their hearts. Brethren, God is dishonored by your long, faithless prayers. Look away from the unworthiness of self, and exalt Jesus. Talk of faith, of light, and of heaven, and you will have faith, light, and love, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. 1T 167.3"
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
EGW directly uses the phrase 'let your light shine,' which is a clear reference to Matthew 5:16. The context of both passages also involves believers demonstrating their faith to the world.