"Every soul is elected who will work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. He is elected who will put on the armor and fight the good fight of faith. He is elected who will watch unto prayer, who will search the Scriptures, and flee from temptation. He is elected who will have faith continually, and who will be obedient to every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The provisions of redemption are free to all; the results of redemption will be enjoyed by those who have complied with the conditions. PP 208.1"
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
EGW directly alludes to Philippians 2:12, using the phrase 'work out your own salvation with fear and trembling'.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
EGW's reference to putting on armor and fighting the good fight of faith clearly echoes the imagery and concept of the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:11-17.
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
The EGW passage uses the phrase 'every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,' which is a direct quote from Matthew 4:4. However, the context is different. Matthew 4:4 is about spiritual nourishment, while the EGW passage is about the conditions of redemption. Therefore, it's a possible connection, but not a strong thematic parallel.
Esau had despised the blessings of the covenant. He had valued temporal above spiritual good, and he had received that which he desired. It was by his own deliberate choice that he was separated from the people of God. Jacob had chosen the inheritance of faith. He had endeavored to obtain it by craft, treachery, and falsehood; but God had permitted his sin to work out its correction. Yet through all the bitter experience of his later years, Jacob had never swerved from his purpose or renounced his choice. He had learned that in resorting to human skill and craft to secure the blessing, he had been warring against God. From that night of wrestling beside the Jabbok, Jacob had come forth a different man. Self-confidence had been uprooted. Henceforth the early cunning was no longer seen. In place of craft and deception, his life was marked by simplicity and truth. He had learned the lesson of simple reliance upon the Almighty Arm, and amid trial and affliction he bowed in humble submissio…
"Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."
Both passages discuss Esau's rejection of his birthright and valuing temporal things over spiritual ones. The EGW passage expands on the implications of Esau's choice and contrasts it with Jacob's journey, which aligns with the theme presented in Hebrews 12:16.
"The sin of Jacob, and the train of events to which it led, had not failed to exert an influence for evil—an influence that revealed its bitter fruit in the character and life of his sons. As these sons arrived at manhood they developed serious faults. The results of polygamy were manifest in the household. This terrible evil tends to dry up the very springs of love, and its influence weakens the most sacred ties. The jealousy of the several mothers had embittered the family relation, the children had grown up contentious and impatient of control, and the father's life was darkened with anxiety and grief. PP 208.3"
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
The EGW passage illustrates the principle of reaping what you sow (Galatians 6:7) through the consequences of Jacob's sin of deception and polygamy on his family. The negative outcomes in his sons' lives and the family's relationships directly reflect the 'bitter fruit' of Jacob's actions.