"“If thou wilt enter into life,” He added, “keep the commandments.” The character of God is expressed in His law; and in order for you to be in harmony with God, the principles of His law must be the spring of your every action. COL 391.1"
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
EGW directly quotes and expands upon Matthew 19:17, making a clear and intentional connection.
"Christ does not lessen the claims of the law. In unmistakable language He presents obedience to it as the condition of eternal life—the same condition that was required of Adam before his fall. The Lord expects no less of the soul now than He expected of man in Paradise, perfect obedience, unblemished righteousness. The requirement under the covenant of grace is just as broad as the requirement made in Eden—harmony with God's law, which is holy, just, and good. COL 391.2"
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Both passages emphasize the importance of perfection. Matthew 5:48 calls for perfection like God's, and the EGW passage states that God expects perfect obedience and unblemished righteousness, similar to what was expected of Adam.
"commandments from the second table of the Decalogue, then summed them all up in the precept, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” COL 391.3"
"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
The EGW passage directly quotes and references Matthew 22:39, making it an explicit allusion.
"The young man answered without hesitation, “All these things have I kept from my youth up; what lack I yet?” His conception of the law was external and superficial. Judged by a human standard, he had preserved an unblemished character. To a great degree his outward life had been free from guilt; he verily thought that his obedience had been without a flaw. Yet he had a secret fear that all was not right between his soul and God. This prompted the question, “What lack I yet?” COL 391.4"
"The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?"
The EGW passage directly quotes and references Matthew 19:20, making it an explicit allusion.
"“If thou wilt be perfect,” Christ said, “go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.” COL 391.5"
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
EGW directly quotes Matthew 19:21, indicating a clear and intentional reference.