"By looking constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened. God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is a personal Saviour. As they feed upon His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter. By the transforming agency of His grace, the image of God is reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the divine similitude. This is what it means to live “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” This is eating the Bread that comes down from heaven. DA 391.1"
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of John 6:63, emphasizing the life-giving power of Christ's words and their spiritual nature. The phrase 'spirit and life' is a clear connection.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
The EGW passage speaks of becoming a 'new creature' through Christ, which is a clear parallel to 2 Corinthians 5:17. Both passages emphasize transformation and renewal in Christ.
"Christ had spoken a sacred, eternal truth regarding the relation between Himself and His followers. He knew the character of those who claimed to be His disciples, and His words tested their faith. He declared that they were to believe and act upon His teaching. All who received Him would partake of His nature, and be conformed to His character. This involved the relinquishment of their cherished ambitions. It required the complete surrender of themselves to Jesus. They were called to become self-sacrificing, meek and lowly in heart. They must walk in the narrow path traveled by the Man of Calvary, if they would share in the gift of life and the glory of heaven. DA 391.2"
"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."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle of self-denial and following Christ, as stated in Matthew 16:24. The call to relinquish ambitions and surrender to Jesus aligns with the concept of denying oneself.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
The EGW passage discusses being conformed to Christ's character, which aligns with the call in Philippians 2:5 to have the same mind as Christ Jesus. Both passages emphasize the importance of emulating Christ's character.
"The test was too great. The enthusiasm of those who had sought to take Him by force and make Him king grew cold. This discourse in the synagogue, they declared, had opened their eyes. Now they were undeceived. In their minds His words were a direct confession that He was not the Messiah, and that no earthly rewards were to be realized from connection with Him. They had welcomed His miracle-working power; they were eager to be freed from disease and suffering; but they would not come into sympathy with His self-sacrificing life. They cared not for the mysterious spiritual kingdom of which He spoke. The insincere, the selfish, who had sought Him, no longer desired Him. If He would not devote His power and influence to obtaining their freedom from the Romans, they would have nothing to do with Him. DA 391.3"
"From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."
Both passages describe the departure of disciples from Jesus due to disillusionment with his teachings. EGW provides context and explanation for the event described in John 6:66.
"Jesus told them plainly, “There are some of you that believe not;” adding, “Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father.” He wished them to understand that if they were not drawn to Him it was because their hearts were not open to the Holy Spirit. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 . It is by faith that the soul beholds the glory of Jesus. This glory is hidden, until, through the Holy Spirit, faith is kindled in the soul. DA 391.4"
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
EGW directly quotes 1 Corinthians 2:14. The surrounding text provides commentary on the verse.
"But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him."
EGW directly quotes John 6:64. The surrounding text provides commentary on the verse.
"And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."
EGW directly quotes John 6:65. The surrounding text provides commentary on the verse.