"And let none flatter themselves that sins cherished for a time can easily be given up by and by. This is not so. Every sin cherished weakens the character and strengthens habit; and physical, mental, and moral depravity is the result. You may repent of the wrong you have done, and set your feet in right paths; but the mold of your mind and your familiarity with evil will make it difficult for you to distinguish between right and wrong. Through the wrong habits formed, Satan will assail you again and again. COL 281.1"
"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
Both passages discuss the hardening effect of sin. Hebrews 3:13 warns against being hardened by sin's deceitfulness, while the EGW passage elaborates on how cherished sins weaken character and create habits that make it difficult to distinguish right from wrong. The EGW passage amplifies the principle found in Hebrews.
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Romans 6:16 teaches that yielding to sin makes one a servant of sin. The EGW passage echoes this principle by stating that cherished sins weaken character and strengthen habit, ultimately leading to depravity. Both passages highlight the enslaving nature of sin.
"In the command, “Go work today in My vineyard,” the test of sincerity is brought to every soul. Will there be deeds as well as words? Will the one called put to use all the knowledge he has, working faithfully, disinterestedly, for the Owner of the vineyard? COL 281.2"
"But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard."
The EGW passage directly quotes and expands upon the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:28, using it as a test of sincerity and faithfulness.
"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
Both passages emphasize the importance of faithfulness in service. 1 Corinthians 4:2 states that stewards must be found faithful, while the EGW passage connects the call to work in the vineyard with working faithfully and disinterestedly for the Owner. The EGW passage applies the principle of faithfulness to the specific context of working in God's vineyard.
"The apostle Peter instructs us as to the plan on which we must work. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you,” he says, “through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. COL 281.3"
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
The EGW passage directly quotes 2 Peter 1:2-4, indicating a clear and intentional reference.
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,"
EGW directly quotes 2 Peter 1:2, making it a clear explicit allusion.