None of the apostles and prophets ever claimed to be without sin. Men who have lived the nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God has honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their nature. They have put no confidence in the flesh, have claimed no righteousness of their own, but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ. AA 561.1 So will it be with all who behold Christ. The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves. There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him. At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostle's con…
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Ellen White directly references Galatians 6:14 in this passage.
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."
Both passages emphasize the ongoing process of spiritual growth and the recognition that perfection is not immediately attained. Philippians 3:12 expresses Paul's pursuit of perfection, while EGW highlights the continuous nature of sanctification and the impossibility of reaching a point where one can claim to have fully attained.
"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not."
Both passages acknowledge the inherent sinfulness of human nature, even in those who are close to God. Romans 7:18 expresses Paul's struggle with his sinful nature, while EGW emphasizes that even the most righteous individuals recognize their own sinfulness.
"Let the recording angels write the history of the holy struggles and conflicts of the people of God; let them record their prayers and tears; but let not God be dishonored by the declaration from human lips, “I am sinless; I am holy.” Sanctified lips will never give utterance to such presumptuous words. AA 561.3"
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
EGW's statement about not declaring oneself sinless directly echoes the sentiment in 1 John 1:8, which states that claiming to be without sin is self-deception. The principle of acknowledging one's sinfulness is central to both passages.
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."
Both passages refer to books being written/opened and used for judgment. EGW's passage speaks of 'recording angels' writing, while Revelation speaks of 'books' being opened. The connection is thematic, dealing with records and accountability before God.