"Self-righteousness is not true righteousness, and those who cling to it will be left to take the consequences of holding a fatal deception. Many today claim to obey the commandments of God, but they have not the love of God in their hearts to flow forth to others. Christ calls them to unite with Him in His work for the saving of the world, but they content themselves with saying, “I go, sir.” They do not go. They do not co-operate with those who are doing God's service. They are idlers. Like the unfaithful son, they make false promises to God. In taking upon themselves the solemn covenant of the church they have pledged themselves to receive and obey the word of God, to give themselves to God's service, but they do not do this. In profession they claim to be sons of God, but in life and character they deny the relationship. They do not surrender the will to God. They are living a lie. COL 279.1"
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."
EGW's statement about claiming obedience without love and action directly reflects the principle in 1 John 3:18, which emphasizes the importance of loving in deed and truth, not just in word.
"The promise of obedience they appear to fulfill when this involves no sacrifice; but when self-denial and self-sacrifice are required, when they see the cross to be lifted, they draw back. Thus the conviction of duty wears away, and known transgression of God's commandments becomes habit. The ear may hear God's word, but the spiritual perceptive powers have departed. The heart is hardened, the conscience seared. COL 279.2"
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
Both passages describe a process of spiritual decline where initial enlightenment or conviction is lost, leading to a hardened heart and a turning away from God. Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks of those who have tasted the heavenly gift and then fall away, while EGW describes a similar process of neglecting duty and hardening the heart.
"Do not think that because you do not manifest decided hostility to Christ you are doing Him service. We thus deceive our own souls. By withholding that which God has given us to use in His service, be it time or means or any other of His entrusted gifts, we work against Him. COL 279.3"
"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."
EGW's statement that withholding service is working against Christ directly echoes the sentiment in Matthew 12:30, where Jesus states that those who are not with him are against him.
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Both passages address the idea that outward profession or faith is insufficient without corresponding action or works. James 2:26 explicitly states that faith without works is dead, while EGW implies that claiming to serve Christ without actually using one's gifts is a form of self-deception and ultimately works against Him.