"Consistency The characters of many who profess godliness are imperfect and one-sided. These show that as pupils in the school of Christ they have learned their lessons very imperfectly. Some who have learned to imitate Christ in meekness, do not show His diligence in doing good. Others are active and zealous, but they are boastful; they have never learned humility. Still others leave Christ out of their work. They may be pleasing in their manners; they may show sympathy for their fellow-men; but their hearts are not centered on the Saviour, and they have not learned the language of heaven. They do not pray as Christ prayed; they do not place His estimate upon souls; they have not learned to endure hardship in their efforts to save souls. Some, knowing little of the transforming power of grace, become egotistical, critical, harsh. Others are plastic and yielding, bending this way and that to please their fellow-men. GW 144"
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
1 John 2:4 states that someone who claims to know God but doesn't keep His commandments is a liar. EGW describes people who profess godliness but have imperfect characters, suggesting a failure to truly follow Christ's teachings. This aligns with the principle in 1 John 2:4.
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
James 1:22 urges believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers. EGW criticizes those who profess godliness but lack consistent Christian character, implying they are hearers but not doers. The principle of action aligning with belief is central to both passages.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 7:21 speaks about doing the will of the Father, not just saying 'Lord, Lord.' EGW discusses the inconsistency of those who profess godliness but lack certain virtues or leave Christ out of their work. Both passages address the discrepancy between profession and genuine action/character.
"made, fervent prayers offered. Our tame, lifeless prayers need to be changed to petitions of intense earnestness. GW 144.1"
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
EGW's call for 'fervent prayers' and the need to change 'tame, lifeless prayers' directly alludes to James 5:16, which speaks of the 'effectual fervent prayer' of a righteous person.
"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
Both passages emphasize the importance of persistent prayer. Luke 18:1 encourages constant prayer, while EGW criticizes 'tame, lifeless prayers' and calls for 'intense earnestness.' This is more than a superficial connection.
"Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;"
Hebrews 5:7 describes Jesus' fervent prayers with 'strong crying and tears,' which aligns with EGW's call for 'petitions of intense earnestness' as opposed to 'tame, lifeless prayers.' Both passages highlight the intensity and sincerity required in prayer.