The quote you provided appears to be a composite paraphrase that brings together several distinct statements made by Ellen White. While she did not write those exact sentences in that specific order, she frequently taught that "Love is the basis of godliness" (
COL 384.2) and that "The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within" (
AA 551.1). In her writings, Ellen White emphasized that true Christian love is not a natural human impulse but a divine principle. She explained that "we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others" (
WM 81.4). Instead, she taught that What is needed is the love of Christ in the heartand that "When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously" (
COL 384.2).
This internal transformation is what allows a person to reflect the character of Christ to the world. Regarding the treatment of others, she noted that the possessor of Christ's love "will not say, 'I will love only those who love me'" (YI June 10, 1897, par. 7). She often cited the scriptural mandate to "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you" (
MM 254). She believed that when Christians obey this requirement, there would be a great change in evildoersbecause they would be convicted by the refusal of Christians to "resent the evil actions of those controlled by satanic agencies" (
MM 254).
Furthermore, she identified this unselfish love as the primary evidence of a relationship with God. She wrote that "Christ declared that their love one for another was a sure badge of their discipleship" (HM August 1, 1896, par. 2). This love serves as a powerful witness because "Christians who manifest a spirit of unselfish love for one another are bearing a testimony for Christ which unbelievers can neither gainsay nor resist" (
T31 163). Finally, she presented Christ’s own life as the ultimate example of how to handle conflict and mistreatment. She noted that "His character is a living exhibition of the way to do good and overcome evil" (
T26 201.4).
She taught that pure love has special efficacy to do good, and can do nothing but good,serving as a power that "prevents discord and misery, and brings the truest happiness" (
T26 201.3). For practical application, this means that Christian character is not built by outward effort alone, but by allowing the love of Christ to fill the heart until helping others becomes a natural impulse. When we choose to respond to enmity with blessing, we are using the "power" of love to overcome evil, just as Christ did. In summary, while your specific wording is a paraphrase, it accurately reflects her core teachings that love is the foundation of character, the evidence of discipleship, and the only effective way to overcome evil. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:**
• What did Ellen White say about the difference between "sentimentalism" and "Bible charity"?
• How does Ellen White describe the process of self being merged in Christ?
• What specific advice did she give on how to resist the evil and refuse to abuse the evildoer?
Ellen Chat