Christ has chosen us out of the world, that we might be a peculiar and holy people. He “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” God's workers must be men of prayer, diligent students of the Scriptures, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, that they may be a light and strength to others. Our God is a jealous God; and He requires us to worship Him in spirit and in truth, in the beauty of holiness. The psalmist says: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” As workers we must take heed to our ways. If the psalmist could not be heard if he regarded iniquity in his heart, how can the prayers of men now be heard while iniquity is regarded by them? 5T 591.3 After the passing of the time in 1844, fanaticism came into the ranks of Adventists. God gave messages of warning to stay the incoming evil. There was too great familiarity between some men and women. I presented to them…
"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
EGW directly quotes Titus 2:14.
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:"
EGW directly quotes Psalm 66:18.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
Both passages discuss God's people being chosen and peculiar. EGW's statement that Christ has chosen us out of the world, that we might be a peculiar and holy people, echoes the sentiment in 1 Peter 2:9.
"We are not out of danger even now. Every soul who engages to give to the world the message of warning will be sorely tempted to pursue such a course in life as will deny his faith. It is Satan's studied plan to make the workers weak in prayer, weak in power, and weak in influence, because of their defects of character. We, as workers, must be united in frowning down and condemning everything that bears the least approach to evil in our associations with one another. Our faith is holy; our work is to vindicate the honor of God's law, and is not of a character to bring anyone down to a low level in thought or in deportment. 5T 592.2"
"Abstain from all appearance of evil."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of avoiding even the appearance of evil, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:22. The context in EGW is about avoiding temptations that could deny one's faith, which aligns with the broader idea of abstaining from anything that could be perceived as evil.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
Both passages warn about the dangers and temptations from the devil. EGW speaks of Satan's plan to weaken workers, while 1 Peter warns to be vigilant against the devil.