"Let us serve God with all our capabilities, with all our intelligence. Our intelligence will increase as we make use of that which we have. Our religious experience will strengthen as we bring it into the daily life. Thus we shall climb round after round of the ladder reaching to heaven, until at last we step from off the topmost round into the kingdom of God. Let us be Christians in this world. Then we shall have eternal life in the kingdom of glory. 9T 194.1"
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Both passages touch on the idea of faithful service leading to greater reward. EGW speaks of increasing intelligence and a strengthening religious experience leading to the kingdom of God, while Matthew 25:21 speaks of being made ruler over many things for being faithful over a few. The connection is thematic, focusing on the reward for faithful service.
"***** Unity existing among the followers of Christ is an evidence that the Father has sent His Son to save sinners. It is a witness to His power; for nothing short of the miraculous power of God can bring human beings with their different temperaments together in harmonious action, their one aim being to speak the truth in love. 9T 194.2 God's warnings and counsels are plain and decided. As we read the Scriptures and see the power for good that there is in unity and the power for evil that there is in disunion, how can we fail to receive the word of God into our hearts? Suspicion and distrust are as evil leaven. Unity bears witness to the power of the truth. 9T 194.3"
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of John 17:21, emphasizing unity among believers as evidence of Christ's mission and a witness to His power. The connection is clear and intentional.
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Both passages highlight the importance of unity among believers. Ephesians 4:3 encourages maintaining unity, while the EGW passage discusses unity as a witness to the power of truth. The connection is thematic and supportive.