"We must have less faith in what we can do and more faith in what the Lord can do for us, if we will have clean hands and pure hearts. You are not engaged in your own work; you are doing the work of God. 7T 212.1"
"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."
EGW directly alludes to Psalm 24:4 by using the phrase 'clean hands and pure hearts.' The context in EGW emphasizes reliance on God to achieve this purity, which aligns with the broader theme of seeking God's help in righteousness.
"More love is needed, more frankness, less suspicion, less evil thinking. We need to be less ready to blame and accuse. It is this that is so offensive to God. The heart needs to be softened and subdued by love. The strengthless condition of our people results from the fact that their hearts are not right with God. Alienation from Him is the cause of the burdened condition of our institutions. 7T 212.2"
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
EGW's description of needing more love, frankness, and less suspicion directly mirrors the qualities of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Both passages emphasize the importance of love and its positive effects on relationships and spiritual well-being.
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of Ephesians 4:31-32, emphasizing the need to put away negative emotions and embrace kindness and forgiveness. The connection is clear and meaningful.
"***** Do not worry. By looking at appearances, and complaining when difficulty and pressure come, you reveal a sickly, enfeebled faith. By your words and your works show that your faith is invincible. The Lord is rich in resources. He owns the world. Look to Him who has light, and power, and efficiency. He will bless everyone who is seeking to communicate light and love. 7T 212.3"
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Philippians 4:6 directly instructs believers to not be anxious, but to pray. EGW echoes this sentiment, encouraging readers to not worry and to trust in God's resources. The connection is strong.
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
Both passages address the issue of worry and encourage reliance on God's provision. While the wording differs, the core message is the same.
"The Lord desires all to understand that their prosperity is hid with Him in Christ; that it is dependent on their humility and meekness, their wholehearted obedience and devotion. When they shall learn the lesson of the great Teacher, to die to self, to put no confidence in man, nor to make flesh their arm, then, as they call upon Him, the Lord will be to them a present help in every time of need. He will guide them in judgment. He will be at their right hand to give them counsel. He will say to them: “This is the way, walk ye in it.” 7T 212.4"
"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."
The EGW passage directly quotes Isaiah 30:21 ('This is the way, walk ye in it'), making it a clear and explicit allusion.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The EGW passage directly alludes to Psalm 46:1 by using the phrase "present help in every time of need," which is a clear echo of "a very present help in trouble." The surrounding context in EGW further develops the idea of God's help and guidance, amplifying the original verse.
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
The phrase 'life is hid with Christ' is directly alluded to in the EGW passage.