"This union with Christ, once formed, must be maintained. Christ said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” This is no casual touch, no off-and-on connection. The branch becomes a part of the living vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the root to the branches is unobstructed and constant. Separated from the vine, the branch cannot live. No more, said Jesus, can you live apart from Me. The life you have received from Me can be preserved only by continual communion. Without Me you cannot overcome one sin, or resist one temptation. DA 676.1"
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
EGW directly quotes John 15:4 and elaborates on the meaning of abiding in Christ using the vine and branch analogy.
"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
While not a direct quote, the EGW passage echoes the sentiment of John 15:6 regarding the consequences of not abiding in Christ. The idea of separation from Christ leading to a lack of life and fruitfulness is present in both passages.
"“Abide in Me, and I in you.” Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service. The channel of communication must be open continually between man and his God. As the vine branch constantly draws the sap from the living vine, so are we to cling to Jesus, and receive from Him by faith the strength and perfection of His own character. DA 676.2"
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
EGW directly quotes John 15:4 and then explains what abiding in Christ means, drawing directly from the vine and branch analogy.
"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."
The EGW passage uses the imagery of the vine and branches to illustrate the need for constant connection with Christ, echoing the sentiment of Galatians 2:20 where Paul describes Christ living in him. While not a direct quote, the concept of Christ's life being manifested in the believer is central to both passages.
"The root sends its nourishment through the branch to the outermost twig. So Christ communicates the current of spiritual strength to every believer. So long as the soul is united to Christ, there is no danger that it will wither or decay. DA 676.3"
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
The EGW passage directly echoes and expands upon the vine and branches analogy presented in John 15:5, emphasizing the dependence of believers on Christ for spiritual nourishment and life.