"It was this that proved the ruin of the Jews, and it will prove the ruin of many souls in our own day. Thousands are making the same mistake as did the Pharisees whom Christ reproved at Matthew's feast. Rather than give up some cherished idea, or discard some idol of opinion, many refuse the truth which comes down from the Father of light. They trust in self, and depend upon their own wisdom, and do not realize their spiritual poverty. They insist on being saved in some way by which they may perform some important work. When they see that there is no way of weaving self into the work, they reject the salvation provided. DA 280.1"
"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil."
Both passages warn against relying on one's own wisdom and understanding, and instead encourage humility and reliance on God. The EGW passage expands on the dangers of self-reliance, echoing the sentiment in Proverbs.
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
Both passages address the issue of self-righteousness and its consequences. Luke 18:14 highlights the contrast between the humble and the self-exalted, while the EGW passage elaborates on how clinging to cherished ideas and self-reliance leads to spiritual ruin, echoing the theme of humility versus pride.
"A legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion. Fasting or prayer that is actuated by a self-justifying spirit is an abomination in the sight of God. The solemn assembly for worship, the round of religious ceremonies, the external humiliation, the imposing sacrifice, proclaim that the doer of these things regards himself as righteous, and as entitled to heaven; but it is all a deception. Our own works can never purchase salvation. DA 280.2"
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Both passages emphasize that salvation is not earned through works but is a gift of grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 explicitly states that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, while the EGW passage asserts that our own works can never purchase salvation, aligning with the core principle of salvation by grace.
"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats."
Both passages condemn empty religious rituals performed without genuine love and devotion. Isaiah 1:11 expresses God's rejection of sacrifices offered without a sincere heart, while the EGW passage criticizes legalistic religion and self-justifying acts as an abomination, highlighting the importance of inner transformation over outward performance.
As it was in the days of Christ, so it is now; the Pharisees do not know their spiritual destitution. To them comes the message, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” Revelation 3:17, 18 . Faith and love are the gold tried in the fire. But with many the gold has become dim, and the rich treasure has been lost. The righteousness of Christ is to them as a robe unworn, a fountain untouched. To them it is said, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:…
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:"
The EGW passage directly quotes Revelation 3:17, making it a clear and undeniable explicit allusion.
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."
The EGW passage directly quotes Revelation 3:18, making it a clear and undeniable explicit allusion.
"“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17 . Man must be emptied of self before he can be, in the fullest sense, a believer in Jesus. When self is renounced, then the Lord can make man a new creature. New bottles can contain the new wine. The love of Christ will animate the believer with new life. In him who looks unto the Author and Finisher of our faith the character of Christ will be manifest. DA 280.4"
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 51:17 in this passage.