"Unity in Diversity On the other hand, the leaders among God's people are to guard against the danger of condemning the methods of individual workers who are led by the Lord to do a special work that but few are fitted to do. Let brethren in responsibility be slow to criticize movements that are not in perfect harmony with their methods of labor. Let them never suppose that every plan should reflect their own personality. Let them not fear to trust another's methods; for by withholding their confidence from a brother laborer who, with humility and consecrated zeal, is doing a special work in God's appointed way, they are retarding the advancement of the Lord's cause. 9T 259"
"And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."
The EGW passage discusses the acceptance of diverse methods of labor within God's work, mirroring the concept of 'diversities of operations' in 1 Corinthians 12:6. Both emphasize that different approaches can be used by the same God to achieve His purposes.
"God can and will use those who have not had a thorough education in the schools of men. A doubt of His power to do this is manifest unbelief; it is limiting the omnipotent power of the One with whom nothing is impossible. Oh, for less of this uncalled-for, distrustful caution! It leaves so many forces of the church unused; it closes up the way so that the Holy Spirit cannot use men; it keeps in idleness those who are willing and anxious to labor in Christ's lines; it discourages from entering the work many who would become efficient laborers together with God if they were given a fair chance. 9T 259.2"
"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
The EGW passage explicitly states that doubting God's power to use those without formal education is 'limiting the omnipotent power of the One with whom nothing is impossible,' directly alluding to the sentiment expressed in Matthew 19:26.
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;"
The EGW passage discusses God's ability to use those without formal education, which aligns with the theme of 1 Corinthians 1:27, where God chooses the 'foolish' and 'weak' to confound the wise and mighty. Both passages highlight God's unconventional choices in empowering individuals.
"To the prophet the wheel within a wheel, the appearance of living creatures connected with them, all seemed intricate and unexplainable. But the hand of Infinite Wisdom is seen among the wheels, and perfect order is the result of its work. Every wheel, directed by the hand of God, works in perfect harmony with every other wheel. I have been shown that human instrumentalities are liable to seek after too much power and try to control the work themselves. They leave the Lord God, the Mighty Worker, too much out of their methods and plans, and do not trust to Him everything in regard to the advancement of the work. No one should for a moment fancy that he is able to manage those things that belong to the great I AM. God in His providence is preparing a way so that the work may be done by human agents. Then let every man stand at his post of duty, to act his part for this time and know that God is his instructor. 9T 259.3"
"The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel."
EGW directly references the imagery of the wheel within a wheel from Ezekiel 1:16 and uses it as a metaphor for God's control and order within the church. The passage amplifies the imagery to explain a spiritual principle.