"John did not teach that salvation was to be earned by obedience; but that obedience was the fruit of faith and love. “Ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins,” he said, “and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.” 1 John 3:5, 6 . If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in the heart, our feelings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God. The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God's law. AA 563.1"
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The EGW passage aligns with the principle of salvation by grace through faith, emphasizing that obedience is a result of faith, not a means to earn salvation. This is consistent with Ephesians 2:8-9.
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle that faith works through love, leading to obedience, as stated in Galatians 5:6.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
The EGW passage echoes the idea of abiding in Christ and bearing fruit, which is central to John 15:5. Obedience is presented as the fruit of abiding in Christ.
"There are many who, though striving to obey God's commandments, have little peace or joy. This lack in their experience is the result of a failure to exercise faith. They walk as it were in a salt land, a parched wilderness. They claim little, when they might claim much; for there is no limit to the promises of God. Such ones do not correctly represent the sanctification that comes through obedience to the truth. The Lord would have all His sons and daughters happy, peaceful, and obedient. Through the exercise of faith the believer comes into possession of these blessings. Through faith, every deficiency of character may be supplied, every defilement cleansed, every fault corrected, every excellence developed. AA 563.2"
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
The EGW passage speaks of believers lacking peace and joy due to a failure to exercise faith, contrasting this with the abundant life that Christ offers. This aligns thematically with John 10:10, which speaks of Christ coming to give life more abundantly.