"Some have been holding themselves ready to find fault and complain at any suggestion made. But few have had wisdom in this most trying time to think without prejudice and candidly tell what shall be done. I saw that those who have been forward to talk so decidedly about refusing to obey a draft do not understand what they are talking about. Should they really be drafted and, refusing to obey, be threatened with imprisonment, torture, or death, they would shrink and then find that they had not prepared themselves for such an emergency. They would not endure the trial of their faith. What they thought to be faith was only fanatical presumption. 1T 357.1"
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Both passages address the discrepancy between intention and ability when facing trials. Matthew 26:41 highlights the weakness of the flesh despite a willing spirit, while the EGW passage speaks of those who boast of their faith but would falter when faced with real persecution. The connection is strong and relevant.
"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 importance of genuine action over mere words. Matthew 7:21 emphasizes doing the will of the Father, while the EGW passage critiques those who talk boldly but lack the inner strength to endure trials. The connection is thematic and relevant.
"Those who would be best prepared to sacrifice even life, if required, rather than place themselves in a position where they could not obey God, would have the least to say. They would make no boast. They would feel deeply and meditate much, and their earnest prayers would go up to heaven for wisdom to act and grace to endure. Those who feel that in the fear of God they cannot conscientiously engage in this war will be very quiet, and when interrogated will simply state what they are obliged to say in order to answer the inquirer, and then let it be understood that they have no sympathy with the Rebellion. 1T 357.2"
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle of obeying God rather than men, as highlighted in Acts 5:29. The context of sacrificing life rather than disobeying God strongly aligns with the biblical verse.
"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 emphasize the importance of private, earnest prayer. Matthew 6:6 speaks of praying in secret, while the EGW passage describes those prepared to sacrifice as meditating and praying earnestly. The connection lies in the emphasis on sincere, private devotion.