We must let Christ into our hearts and homes if we would walk in the light. Home should be made all that the word implies. It should be a little heaven upon earth, a place where the affections are cultivated instead of being studiously repressed. Our happiness depends upon this cultivation of love, sympathy, and true courtesy to one another. The reason there are so many hardhearted men and women in our world is that true affection has been regarded as weakness and has been discouraged and repressed. The better part of the nature of persons of this class was perverted and dwarfed in childhood, and unless rays of divine light can melt away their coldness and hardhearted selfishness, the happiness of such is buried forever. If we would have tender hearts, such as Jesus had when He was upon the earth, and sanctified sympathy, such as the angels have for sinful mortals, we must cultivate the sympathies of childhood, which are simplicity itself. Then we shall be refined, elevated, and direct…
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
EGW's passage speaks of letting Christ into our hearts and homes to walk in the light, creating a 'little heaven upon earth.' This directly echoes the imagery of Revelation 3:20, where Christ stands at the door and knocks, seeking entrance to fellowship.
A cultivated intellect is a great treasure; but without the softening influence of sympathy and sanctified love, it is not of the highest value. We should have words and deeds of tender consideration for others. We can manifest a thousand little attentions in friendly words and pleasant looks, which will be reflected upon us again. Thoughtless Christians manifest by their neglect of others that they are not in union with Christ. It is impossible to be in union with Christ and yet be unkind to others and forgetful of their rights. Many long intensely for friendly sympathy. God has given each of us an identity of our own, which cannot be merged in that of another; but our individual characteristics will be much less prominent if we are indeed Christ's and His will is ours. Our lives should be consecrated to the good and happiness of others, as was our Saviour's. We should be self- forgetful, ever looking out for opportunities, even in little things, to show gratitude for the favors we ha…
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
EGW's call for 'words and deeds of tender consideration for others' and manifesting 'a thousand little attentions' directly reflects the Golden Rule principle of treating others as you would want to be treated, as stated in Matthew 7:12.
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
Both passages emphasize the importance of love and compassion over intellectual pursuits or other abilities. EGW highlights the need for tender consideration and sympathy, while 1 Corinthians 13:1 states that even eloquent speech is meaningless without charity.