"Again and again I said to myself: “Can this be religion? Am I not mistaken?” It seemed too much for me to claim, too exalted a privilege. Though too timid to confess it openly, I felt that the Saviour had blessed me and pardoned my sins. LS 24.2"
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"
The EGW passage describes the internal struggle and eventual assurance of salvation, which parallels the concept of the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Both passages deal with the inner confirmation of one's relationship with God.
"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 describes a transformative experience where she felt blessed and pardoned, which aligns with the idea of becoming a new creature in Christ. The feeling of being 'new' after receiving forgiveness is a common theme.
"rain had prevailed a greater part of the time, and my feelings had been in harmony with the weather. Now the sun shone bright and clear, and flooded the earth with light and warmth. The trees and grass were a fresher green, the sky a deeper blue. The earth seemed to smile under the peace of God. So the rays of the Sun of Righteousness had penetrated the clouds and darkness of my mind, and dispelled its gloom. LS 24.3"
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."
EGW explicitly uses the imagery of the 'Sun of Righteousness' dispelling darkness, directly referencing Malachi 4:2. The connection is clear and intentional.
"It seemed to me that every one must be at peace with God, and animated by His Spirit. Everything that my eyes rested upon seemed to have undergone a change. The trees were more beautiful, and the birds sang more sweetly than ever before; they seemed to be praising the Creator in their songs. I did not care to talk, for fear this happiness might pass away, and I should lose the precious evidence of Jesus’ love for me. LS 24.4"
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
EGW describes a transformation in her perception of the world after experiencing God's love, seeing everything as new and beautiful. This aligns with the theme of being a 'new creature' in Christ from 2 Corinthians 5:17. The connection is thematic, focusing on the transformative power of faith.