"Christ longed to let light shine into the darkened minds of the Jewish people. He said to them, “If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill Me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God. This did not Abraham.” John 8:39, 40 . COL 268.1"
"They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham."
EGW directly quotes John 8:39-40, making this a clear and explicit allusion.
"Christ recognized no virtue in lineage. He taught that spiritual connection supersedes all natural connection. The Jews claimed to have descended from Abraham; but by failing to do the works of Abraham, they proved that they were not his true children. Only those who prove themselves to be spiritually in harmony with Abraham by obeying the voice of God, are reckoned as of true descent. Although the beggar belonged to the class looked upon by men as inferior, Christ recognized him as one whom Abraham would take into the very closest friendship. COL 268.2"
"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
Both passages emphasize that true spiritual identity and connection with God are not based on outward lineage or physical descent, but on inward transformation and obedience. Romans 2:28-29 speaks of being a Jew inwardly, while EGW speaks of doing the works of Abraham.
"And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Both passages connect being Christ's with being Abraham's seed and heirs. EGW's passage expands on this by emphasizing that doing the works of Abraham demonstrates this spiritual connection, aligning with the idea of being heirs according to the promise.