The law of God will be satisfied with nothing short of perfection, of perfect and entire obedience to all its claims. To come halfway to its requirements, and not render perfect and thorough obedience, will avail nothing. The worldling and the infidel admire consistency and have ever been powerfully convicted that God was of a truth with His people when their works correspond with their faith. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Every tree is known by its own fruits. Our words, our actions, are the fruit we bear. There are many who hear the sayings of Christ, but do them not. They make a profession, but their fruits are such as to disgust unbelievers. They are boastful, and pray and talk in a self-righteous manner, exalting themselves, recounting their good deeds, and, like the Pharisee, virtually thanking God that they are not as other men. Yet these very ones are crafty, and overreach in business deal. Their fruits are not good. Their words and acts are wrong, and yet they seem to …
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
EGW directly quotes Matthew 7:20 ('By their fruits ye shall know them.') and elaborates on its meaning in the context of Christian living.
"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."
EGW uses the 'fruit' metaphor from Matthew 7 to illustrate the importance of actions aligning with faith. She directly quotes 'By their fruits ye shall know them' and expands on the idea of good and bad fruit representing genuine and hypocritical behavior.
"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 emphasize the importance of actions aligning with words and profession of faith. Matthew 7:21 states that not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom, but only those who do the Father's will. EGW similarly stresses that hearing the sayings of Christ is not enough; one must also do them.
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Both passages highlight the necessity of works accompanying faith. James 2:26 states that faith without works is dead, while EGW emphasizes that merely hearing Christ's sayings is insufficient; one must also act upon them, and that their actions are the fruit that demonstrates their faith.
"I was shown that the following scripture is applicable to those who are under such a deception: “Not everyone 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. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” 1T 416.2"
"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."
EGW directly quotes Matthew 7:21 to emphasize the importance of doing God's will, not just claiming to be a follower of Christ.
"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
EGW directly quotes Matthew 7:23 to illustrate the fate of those who claim to know Christ but are rejected because of their iniquity.