"The wheat develops “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” The object of the husbandman in the sowing of the seed and the culture of the growing plant is the production of grain. He desires bread for the hungry, and seed for future harvests. So the divine Husbandman looks for a harvest as the reward of His labor and sacrifice. Christ is seeking to reproduce Himself in the hearts of men; and He does this through those who believe in Him. The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing—the reproduction of Christ's character in the believer, that it may be reproduced in others. COL 67.1"
"For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."
EGW directly quotes and elaborates on the imagery of the growing plant from Mark 4:28, drawing a parallel between agricultural growth and spiritual development.
"The plant does not germinate, grow, or bring forth fruit for itself, but to “give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.” Isaiah 55:10 . So no man is to live unto himself. The Christian is in the world as a representative of Christ, for the salvation of other souls. COL 67.2"
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:"
Ellen White directly references Isaiah 55:10 in this passage.
"There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self. If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell of His goodness. Do every duty that presents itself. Carry the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your power seek to save the lost. As you receive the Spirit of Christ—the Spirit of unselfish love and labor for others—you will grow and bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will ripen in your character. Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and lovely. COL 67.3"
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
EGW's emphasis on selflessness and service to others as essential for spiritual growth directly reflects the principle of self-denial taught by Jesus in Matthew 16:24.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,"
EGW's description of the growth and fruitfulness that comes from receiving the Spirit of Christ aligns with the concept of the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22. Both passages emphasize the development of positive character traits as a result of spiritual growth.