"The good resolutions made in one's own strength avail nothing. Not all the pledges in the world will break the power of evil habit. Never will men practice temperance in all things until their hearts are renewed by divine grace. We cannot keep ourselves from sin for one moment. Every moment we are dependent upon God. MH 179.4 True reformation begins with soul cleansing. Our work for the fallen will achieve real success only as the grace of Christ reshapes the character and the soul is brought into living connection with God. MH 180.1"
"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 the principle in John 15:5 that humans are utterly dependent on God for any good work, including overcoming sin and practicing temperance. Both emphasize the inability to achieve righteousness or positive change through one's own strength alone.
"Christ lived a life of perfect obedience to God's law, and in this He set an example for every human being. The life that He lived in this world we are to live through His power and under His instruction. MH 180.2"
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"
Both passages emphasize Christ as an example for believers to follow. 1 Peter 2:21 explicitly states Christ left an example, while EGW states that we are to live the life Christ lived through His power. This is more than a thematic parallel; it's a direct principle of Christian living.
"In our work for the fallen the claims of the law of God and the need of loyalty to Him are to be impressed on mind and heart. Never fail to show that there is a marked difference between the one who serves God and the one who serves Him not. God is love, but He cannot excuse willful disregard for His commands. The enactments of His government are such that men do not escape the consequences of disloyalty. Only those who honor Him can He honor. Man's conduct in this world decides his eternal destiny. As he has sown, so he must reap. Cause will be followed by effect. MH 180.3"
"Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of Malachi 3:18, emphasizing the distinction between those who serve God and those who do not. The phrase "marked difference between the one who serves God and the one who serves Him not" is a clear parallel to "discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
The EGW passage explicitly states "As he has sown, so he must reap. Cause will be followed by effect," which is a direct restatement of the principle found in Galatians 6:7: "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
"Nothing less than perfect obedience can meet the standard of God's requirement. He has not left His requirements indefinite. He has enjoined nothing that is not necessary in order to bring man into harmony with Him. We are to point sinners to His ideal of character and to lead them to Christ, by whose grace only can this ideal be reached. MH 180.4"
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Both passages discuss the concept of perfection as a standard set by God. Matthew 5:48 commands believers to "be ye therefore perfect," while the EGW passage states that "Nothing less than perfect obedience can meet the standard of God's requirement." While not a direct quote, the thematic connection is strong.