"Love for souls for whom Christ died means crucifixion of self. He who is a child of God should henceforth look upon himself as a link in the chain let down to save the world, one with Christ in His plan of mercy, going forth with Him to seek and save the lost. The Christian is ever to realize that he has consecrated himself to God, and that in character he is to reveal Christ to the world. The self-sacrifice, the sympathy, the love, manifested in the life of Christ are to reappear in the life of the worker for God. DA 417.1"
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Both passages emphasize self-sacrifice and identification with Christ's mission. Galatians 2:20 speaks of being crucified with Christ, while the EGW passage speaks of the 'crucifixion of self' and being 'one with Christ in His plan of mercy.'
"“Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Selfishness is death. No organ of the body could live should it confine its service to itself. The heart, failing to send its lifeblood to the hand and the head, would quickly lose its power. As our lifeblood, so is the love of Christ diffused through every part of His mystical body. We are members one of another, and the soul that refuses to impart will perish. And “what is a man profited,” said Jesus, “if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” DA 417.2"
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
The EGW passage directly quotes Matthew 16:25 and expands upon its meaning, making the connection explicit.
"why He should voluntarily go to Jerusalem to meet the treatment which He had told them He was there to receive. How could He resign Himself to such a fate, and leave them in greater darkness than that in which they were groping before He revealed Himself to them? DA 417.3"
"But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying."
Both passages highlight the disciples' lack of understanding regarding Jesus's impending suffering and death. Luke 9:45 states their incomprehension directly, while the EGW passage describes their questioning and confusion.