"What surpassing love and condescension, that when we had no claim upon divine mercy, Christ was willing to undertake our redemption! But our great Physician requires of every soul unquestioning submission. We are never to prescribe for our own case. Christ must have the entire management of will and action. 5T 219.1"
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Both passages highlight God's love and Christ's sacrifice for humanity. EGW connects this to the need for submission to Christ's will and allowing Him to manage our lives, while Romans 5:8 focuses on the demonstration of God's love through Christ's death for sinners.
"Many are not sensible of their condition and their danger; and there is much in the nature and manner of Christ's work averse to every worldly principle and opposed to the pride of the human heart. Jesus requires us to trust ourselves wholly to His hands and confide in His love and wisdom. 5T 219.2"
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of self-denial and complete surrender to Christ found in Matthew 16:24. The idea of trusting wholly in Christ's hands aligns with the call to deny oneself and follow Him.
"We may flatter ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our moral character has been correct and we need not humble ourselves before God like the common sinner. But we must be content to enter into life in the very same way as the chief of sinners. We must renounce our own righteousness and plead for the righteousness of Christ to be imputed to us. We must depend wholly upon Christ for our strength. Self must die. We must acknowledge that all we have is from the exceeding riches of divine grace. Let this be the language of our hearts: “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake.” 5T 219.3"
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
The EGW passage emphasizes humility and the need to renounce self-righteousness, which directly parallels the message of Luke 18:14 regarding the humble being exalted. The reference to Nicodemus adds context, but the core message aligns with the verse.
"Genuine faith is followed by love, and love by obedience. All the powers and passions of the converted man are brought under the control of Christ. His Spirit is a renewing power, transforming to the divine image all who will receive it. It makes me sad to say that this experience is understood by but few who profess the truth. Very many follow on in their own ways and indulge their sinful desires and yet profess to be disciples of Christ. They have never submitted their hearts to God. Like the foolish virgins they have neglected to obtain the oil of grace in their vessels with their lamps. I tell you, my brethren, that a large number who profess to believe and even to teach the truth are under the bondage of sin. Base passions defile the mind and corrupt the soul. Some who are in the vilest iniquity have borrowed the livery of heaven, that they may serve Satan more effectively. 5T 219.4"
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
The EGW passage discusses the fruits of genuine faith, including love and obedience, and contrasts this with those who profess faith but indulge in sin. This directly parallels the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23. The mention of the foolish virgins is a separate, though related, point.