God is testing the characters of all. He is proving their love for His cause and for the promulgation of the truth which they profess to consider of inestimable value. The Searcher of hearts is judging, by the fruits they bear, who are truly followers of Christ; who, like their divine Pattern, will renounce the honors and treasures of the world, and consent to be of no reputation, preferring the favor of God and the cross of Christ, that they may, in the end, secure the true riches, the treasure laid up in heaven, the recompense of reward—eternal glory. 2T 688.1 Those who do not really wish to know themselves will allow the reproofs and warnings to pass to others, and will not discern that their own cases are met, their errors and dangers pointed out. Earthly, selfish motives blind the mind and so operate upon the soul that it cannot be renewed in the divine image. Those who do not, by their own perverse natures, resist His will, will not be left in darkness, but will be renewed in kno…
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
EGW's statement that God is judging by the fruits they bear who are truly followers of Christ is a direct echo and application of the principle stated in Matthew 7:20.
"Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is."
Both passages discuss the testing of character and the revealing of one's true nature through trials. 1 Corinthians 3:13 speaks of fire testing each man's work, while EGW speaks of God testing love for His cause and judging by the fruits they bear. The connection is thematic, focusing on the idea of testing and revealing.