"Chapter 8—Growing Up Into Christ The change of heart by which we become children of God is in the Bible spoken of as birth. Again, it is compared to the germination of the good seed sown by the husbandman. In like manner those who are just converted to Christ are, “as new-born babes,” to “grow up” to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 2:2 ; Ephesians 4:15 . Or like the good seed sown in the field, they are to grow up and bring forth fruit. Isaiah says that they shall “be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 . So from natural life, illustrations are drawn, to help us better to understand the mysterious truths of spiritual life. SC 67"
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:"
Ellen White directly references 1 Peter 2:2 in this passage.
"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
Ellen White directly references Ephesians 4:15 in this passage.
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."
Ellen White directly references Isaiah 61:3 in this passage.
"Not all the wisdom and skill of man can produce life in the smallest object in nature. It is only through the life which God Himself has imparted, that either plant or animal can live. So it is only through the life from God that spiritual life is begotten in the hearts of men. Unless a man is “born from above,” he cannot become a partaker of the life which Christ came to give. John 3:3 , margin. SC 67.2"
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Ellen White directly references John 3:3 in this passage.
As with life, so it is with growth. It is God who brings the bud to bloom and the flower to fruit. It is by His power that the seed develops, “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28 . And the prophet Hosea says of Israel, that “he shall grow as the lily.” “They shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.” Hosea 14:5, 7 . And Jesus bids us “consider the lilies how they grow.” Luke 12:27 . The plants and flowers grow not by their own care or anxiety or effort, but by receiving that which God has furnished to minister to their life. The child cannot, by any anxiety or power of its own, add to its stature. No more can you, by anxiety or effort of yourself, secure spiritual growth. The plant, the child, grows by receiving from its surroundings that which ministers to its life—air, sunshine, and food. What these gifts of nature are to animal and plant, such is Christ to those who trust in Him. He is their “everlasting light,” “a sun and shield.” Is…
"For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."
Ellen White directly references Mark 4:28 in this passage.
"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
Ellen White directly references Luke 12:27 in this passage.
"The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."
Ellen White directly references Isaiah 60:19 in this passage.
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 84:11 in this passage.
"I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon."
Ellen White directly references Hosea 14:5 in this passage.
"He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 72:6 in this passage.
"For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world."
Ellen White directly references John 6:33 in this passage.