"To have fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is to be ennobled and elevated, and made a partaker of joys unspeakable and full of glory. Food, clothing, station, and wealth may have their value; but to have a connection with God and to be a partaker of His divine nature is of priceless value. Our lives should be hid with Christ in God; and although it “doth not yet appear what we shall be,” “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear,” “we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” The princely dignity of the Christian character will shine forth as the sun, and the beams of light from the face of Christ will be reflected upon those who have purified themselves even as He is pure. The privilege of becoming sons of God is cheaply purchased, even at the sacrifice of everything we possess, be it life itself. 4T 357.2"
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
EGW directly quotes and alludes to 1 John 3:2, referencing the idea that we are currently sons of God but our future state is not yet fully revealed, and that we will be like Him when we see Him.
"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."
Both passages discuss fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. EGW expands on the benefits of this fellowship, while 1 John 1:3 introduces the concept.
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
Both passages discuss partaking of the divine nature. EGW emphasizes the priceless value of this connection, while 2 Peter 1:4 describes it as a result of God's promises.
"My dear brother, you should set your face to be a man after God's own heart. What others may venture to do or say that is not strictly in accordance with the Christian standard should be no excuse for you. You must stand before the Judge of all the earth, not to answer for another, but for yourself. We have an individual responsibility, and no man's defects of character will be the least excuse for our guilt; for Christ has given us in His character a perfect pattern, a faultless life. 4T 357.3"
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."
Both passages emphasize individual responsibility before God. Ezekiel 18:20 states that each person is responsible for their own sins, while EGW stresses that we will answer for ourselves and cannot excuse our guilt based on others' actions.
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Both passages discuss striving for perfection. Matthew 5:48 commands us to be perfect as God is, while EGW emphasizes Christ as a perfect pattern and faultless life to emulate.
"And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will."
Both passages discuss being 'after God's own heart' and striving for a standard of righteousness. While EGW applies it to individual responsibility and Christ's example, the core concept originates from the description of David in Acts 13:22.
"The most persistent attacks of the enemy of souls are made upon the truth we profess, and any deviation from the right reflects dishonor upon it. Our chief danger is in having the mind diverted from Christ. The name of Jesus has power to drive back the temptations of Satan and lift up for us a standard against him. So long as the soul rests with unshaken confidence in the virtue and power of the atonement, it will stand firm as a rock to principle, and all the powers of Satan and his angels cannot sway it from its integrity. The truth as it is in Jesus is a wall of fire around the soul that clings to Him. Temptations will pour in upon us, for by them we are to be tried during our probation upon earth. This is the proving of God, a revelation of our own hearts. There is no sin in having temptations; but sin comes in when temptation is yielded to. 4T 357.4"
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
Both passages highlight the protective power of God's name. Proverbs 18:10 uses the metaphor of a strong tower, while EGW speaks of the power of Jesus' name to drive back temptation.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Both passages address the spiritual battle against evil forces. Ephesians 6:12 describes the nature of the enemy, while EGW elaborates on how to resist these attacks through faith in Christ.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Both passages discuss resisting the devil. James 4:7 gives the command to resist, and EGW explains how this resistance is achieved through faith and reliance on Christ.