"God's word is our standard, but how far have His professed people departed from it! Our religious faith must be not only theoretical, but practical. Pure and undefiled religion will not allow us to trample upon the rights of the least of God's creatures, much less of the members of His body and the members of our own family. God is love, and whoso dwelleth in Him dwelleth in love. The influence of worldly selfishness, which is carried about by some like a cloud, chilling the very atmosphere that others breathe, causes sickness of soul and frequently chills to death. 3T 528.1"
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
The EGW passage directly quotes and builds upon 1 John 4:8, emphasizing the connection between God's love and the importance of love in the lives of believers.
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
Both passages discuss the nature of true religion, emphasizing that it involves practical actions and compassion towards those in need. The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of James 1:27 by highlighting the importance of not trampling on the rights of others.
"is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” You need to bring Jesus near to you, to have Him in your homes and in your hearts. You should not only have a knowledge of what is right, but should practice it from right motives, having an eye single to the glory of God. You may be helps, if you will comply with the conditions given in the word of God. 3T 528.2"
"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
The EGW passage directly quotes John 15:8, emphasizing the importance of bearing fruit to glorify God.
"The religion of Christ is something more than talk. The righteousness of Christ consists in right actions and good works from pure, unselfish motives. Outside righteousness, while the inward adorning is wanting, will be of no avail. “This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” If we have not the light and love of God we are not His children. If we gather not with Christ we scatter abroad. We all have an influence, and that influence is telling upon the destiny of others for their present and future good or for their eternal loss. 3T 528.3"
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
EGW directly quotes 1 John 1:5-7 within the passage, making it a clear and explicit allusion.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
The EGW passage discusses the importance of right actions and good works, echoing the principle in Matthew 7:21 that it is not enough to simply say 'Lord, Lord,' but one must do the will of the Father.