"But Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all- round character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected. COL 331.1"
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
Both passages discuss the struggle against one's own nature (flesh/hereditary tendencies) in the pursuit of spiritual growth and perfection. EGW elaborates on the internal conflict described in Galatians 5:17.
"Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you can not overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God. COL 331.2"
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
While seemingly contradictory on the surface, both passages address the role of personal will and divine power in overcoming limitations. EGW emphasizes the necessity of willingness, while Philippians 4:13 highlights the enabling power of Christ. They can be seen as complementary perspectives on the same process.
"Many whom God has qualified to do excellent work accomplish very little, because they attempt little. Thousands pass through life as if they had no definite object for which to live, no standard to reach. Such will obtain a reward proportionate to their works. COL 331.3"
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Both passages connect effort and reward. EGW's statement about accomplishing little due to attempting little aligns with the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, where faithfulness over a few things leads to greater responsibility and reward.