"If but one soul would have accepted the gospel of His grace, Christ would, to save that one, have chosen His life of toil and humiliation and His death of shame. If through our efforts one human being shall be uplifted and ennobled, fitted to shine in the courts of the Lord, have we not cause for rejoicing? MH 135.1"
"How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
Both passages emphasize the value of a single soul and the effort God/Christ is willing to expend to save that soul. The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of the parable of the lost sheep.
"The duties of the physician are arduous and trying. In order to perform them most successfully he needs to have a strong constitution and vigorous health. A man that is feeble or diseased cannot endure the wearing labor incident to the physician's calling. One who lacks perfect self-control cannot become qualified to deal with all classes of disease. MH 135.2"
"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
Both passages emphasize the importance of self-care and personal well-being for those in positions of service or leadership. 1 Timothy 4:16 speaks to the importance of taking heed to oneself and doctrine, while EGW applies this principle specifically to physicians, highlighting the need for strong health and self-control to effectively serve others.
"Often deprived of sleep, neglecting even to take food, cut off in great degree from social enjoyment and religious privileges, the physician's life seems to lie under a continual shadow. The affliction he beholds, the dependent mortals longing for help, his contact with the depraved, make the heart sick, and well-nigh destroy confidence in humanity. MH 135.3"
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
The EGW passage describes the burdens and challenges faced by physicians, leading to potential weariness and discouragement. Matthew 11:28 offers rest to those who are weary and heavy laden. The connection lies in the provision of comfort and relief to those burdened by their work and circumstances.
"The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness."
Both passages address the challenges and hardships faced by those who care for the sick and suffering. Psalms 41:3 speaks of God's support during illness, while the EGW passage describes the difficult circumstances of a physician's life. There is a clear thematic parallel in the concern for those who are suffering and the need for support.
"heaven. For the sake of others and for his own sake, he cannot afford to disregard physical law. Recklessness in physical habits tends to recklessness in morals. MH 135.4"
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of glorifying God in one's body by taking care of it, as stated in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. The connection between physical health and spiritual well-being is a key theme in both passages.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
The EGW passage speaks about the consequences of disregarding physical law, which aligns with the principle of sowing and reaping in Galatians 6:7. Recklessness in physical habits leads to negative consequences, mirroring the idea that what one sows, one reaps.
"The physician's only safety is, under all circumstances, to act from principle, strengthened and ennobled by a firmness of purpose found only in God. He is to stand in the moral excellence of His character. Day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment, he is to live as in the sight of the unseen world. As did Moses, he must endure “as seeing Him who is invisible.” MH 135.5"
"By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."
The EGW passage directly quotes Hebrews 11:27, making it an explicit allusion. The context of Moses's faith and endurance is also relevant to the physician's need for firmness of purpose.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
The EGW passage emphasizes acting from principle and being strengthened by God, which parallels the idea of trusting in the Lord and acknowledging Him in all ways, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6. Both passages highlight the importance of relying on God for guidance and strength.