"that he had robbed, confess his sins, and love God and his fellow men, the sinner may be sure that he has passed from death unto life. SC 59.1"
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle stated in John 5:24. Both passages connect belief/repentance with the transition from spiritual death to life. The phrase 'passed from death unto life' is a clear echo of the biblical text.
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
EGW's statement about loving God and fellow men as evidence of passing from death to life closely mirrors 1 John 3:14, which explicitly links love for the brethren with the transition from death to life.
"And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."
The EGW passage echoes the story of Zacchaeus, who demonstrated his conversion through restitution and a change in his relationship with others. The elements of acknowledging wrongdoing ('robbed'), confession ('confess his sins'), and love for fellow men are all present in both passages. The Zacchaeus story is a practical example of the principle EGW is stating.
"When, as erring, sinful beings, we come to Christ and become partakers of His pardoning grace, love springs up in the heart. Every burden is light, for the yoke that Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness, becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness. SC 59.2"
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
EGW directly quotes and applies the concept of Christ's 'easy yoke' and 'light burden' from Matthew 11:30.
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
The EGW passage echoes the theme of Christ as the light dispelling darkness, found in John 8:12. The idea of following Christ and receiving light is present in both.
"We love him, because he first loved us."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle that love for Christ is a response to His prior love and grace. The sequence of events is the same.
"The loveliness of the character of Christ will be seen in His followers. It was His delight to do the will of God. Love to God, zeal for His glory, was the controlling power in our Saviour's life. Love beautified and ennobled all His actions. Love is of God. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. It is found only in the heart where Jesus reigns. “We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 , R.V. In the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the principle of action. It modifies the character, governs the impulses, controls the passions, subdues enmity, and ennobles the affections. This love, cherished in the soul, sweetens the life and sheds a refining influence on all around. SC 59.3"
"We love him, because he first loved us."
Ellen White directly references 1 John 4:19 in this passage.
"There are two errors against which the children of God—particularly those who have just come to trust in His grace—especially need to guard. The first, already dwelt upon, is that of looking to their own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy. SC 59.4"
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
The EGW passage aligns closely with Galatians 2:16, both emphasizing that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through works of the law. The rejection of works as a means of justification is a central theme in both passages.
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle in Romans 3:20 that justification is not achieved through works of the law. It amplifies this by stating that any attempt to become holy through works without Christ is an impossibility.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The EGW passage strongly aligns with Ephesians 2:8-9, emphasizing salvation through grace and faith, not works. It directly reflects the biblical principle that salvation is a gift from God, not something earned through human effort.