"Those who profess to be Christians amid the perils of the last days, and do not imitate the humble, self- denying Pattern, place themselves in the enemy's ranks. He considers them his subjects, and they serve as important a purpose for him as do any of his subjects, for they have a name to live, and are dead. Others take them as an example, and by following them lose heaven, when, had these not professed to be Christians, their example would have been shunned. These unconsecrated professors are not aware of the weight of their influence. They make the conflict much more severe for those who would be God's peculiar people. Paul, in Titus 2:15 , refers to the people who are looking for the appearing of Christ. He says: “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” 1T 276.1"
"These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."
Ellen White directly references Titus 2:15 in this passage.
"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."
The EGW passage directly uses the phrase "a name to live, and are dead," which is a clear allusion to Revelation 3:1.
"For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written."
Both passages address the negative impact of inconsistent Christian behavior on others. Romans 2:24 states that the name of God is blasphemed because of the actions of believers, and the EGW passage discusses how the example of unconsecrated professors can lead others astray.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Both passages address the hypocrisy of those who profess faith but do not live according to God's will. Matthew 7:21 speaks directly to the issue of saying 'Lord, Lord' without doing the Father's will, while the EGW passage discusses those who 'have a name to live, and are dead.'
"As we bear testimony against pride and following the fashions of the world, we are met with excuses and self-justification. Some urge the example of others. Such a sister wears hoops; if it is wrong for me to wear them, it is wrong for her. Children urge the example of other children, whose parents are Sabbathkeepers. Brother A is a deacon of the church. His children wear hoops, and why is it any worse for me to wear them than it is for them? Those who by their example furnish unconsecrated professors with arguments against those who would be peculiar, are laying a cause of stumbling in the way of the weak; they must render an account to God for their example. I am often asked: “What do you think of hoops?” I reply: I have given you the light which has been given me. I was shown that hoops are a shame, and that we should not give the least countenance to a fashion carried to such ridiculous lengths. 1T 276.2"
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
The EGW passage directly addresses the concept of causing others to stumble, particularly 'the weak,' by setting a poor example. This aligns directly with the principle in Matthew 18:6 about offending 'one of these little ones which believe in me.'
"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way."
The EGW passage directly addresses the principle of not causing others to stumble through one's example, which is the core message of Romans 14:13.
"But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak."
The EGW passage directly addresses the principle of not causing others to stumble through one's example, which is the core message of 1 Corinthians 8:9.
I am often surprised to hear that “Sister White says it is not wrong to wear small hoops.” No one has ever heard me say this. After seeing what I have in regard to hoops, nothing would induce me to give the least encouragement to any to wear them. Heavy quilts and hoops are alike unnecessary. He that framed us never designed that we should be deformed with hoops, or anything to look like them. But God's people have so long been led by the inventions and fashions of the world that they are unwilling to move out independent of them. When I study the Scriptures, I am alarmed for the Israel of God in these last days. They are exhorted to flee from idolatry. I fear that they are asleep and so conformed to the world that it would be difficult to discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. The distance is widening between Christ and His people, and lessening between them and the world. The marks of distinction between Christ's professed people and the world have almost …
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Both passages discuss the idea of not conforming to the world and its practices. EGW directly addresses conformity to worldly fashions, while Romans 12:2 speaks more broadly about not being conformed to the world's mindset.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
Both passages emphasize the distinct identity of God's people. 1 Peter 2:9 describes believers as a 'peculiar people,' while EGW discusses the need for 'marks of distinction' between Christ's followers and the world.