"The love of Christ is not a fitful feeling, but a living principle, which is to be made manifest as an abiding power in the heart. If the character and deportment of the shepherd is an exemplification of the truth he advocates, the Lord will set the seal of His approval to the work. The shepherd and the flock will become one, united by their common hope in Christ. AA 516.1"
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
The EGW passage emphasizes the love of Christ as a living principle manifested in the heart and the importance of exemplifying truth. Galatians 2:20 speaks of Christ living in the believer and the life lived by faith in the Son of God. Both passages highlight the indwelling of Christ and its impact on the believer's life and character.
"of ministering the word to others, he was to meet the transgressor with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. Remembering his own weakness and failure, he was to deal with the sheep and lambs committed to his care as tenderly as Christ had dealt with him. AA 516.2"
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of Galatians 6:1, emphasizing meekness, self-awareness of one's own failings, and a restorative approach when dealing with others' transgressions.
"How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?"
The EGW passage speaks of ministering to transgressors with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love, remembering one's own weaknesses. It also mentions dealing tenderly with the sheep and lambs, as Christ did. Matthew 18:12 illustrates Christ's care for the lost sheep. Both passages emphasize the importance of compassion and care for those who have gone astray.
"Human beings, themselves given to evil, are prone to deal untenderly with the tempted and the erring. They cannot read the heart; they know not its struggle and its pain. Of the rebuke that is love, of the blow that wounds to heal, of the warning that speaks hope, they have need to learn. AA 516.3"
"Judge not, that ye be not judged."
The EGW passage discusses the human tendency to judge harshly and the need for understanding and compassion, which directly relates to the principle of 'Judge not, that ye be not judged' in Matthew 7:1.
"Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;"
The EGW passage's emphasis on dealing tenderly with the erring, understanding their struggles, and offering loving rebuke aligns thematically with the characteristics of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:5, particularly the aspects of not being easily provoked and not thinking evil.
"Throughout his ministry, Peter faithfully watched over the flock entrusted to his care, and thus proved himself worthy of the charge and responsibility given him by the Saviour. Ever he exalted Jesus of Nazareth as the Hope of Israel, the Saviour of mankind. He brought his own life under the discipline of the Master Worker. By every means within his power he sought to educate the believers for active service. His godly example and untiring activity inspired many young men of promise to give themselves wholly to the work of the ministry. As time went on, the apostle's influence as an educator and leader increased; and while he never lost his burden to labor especially for the Jews, yet he bore his testimony in many lands and strengthened the faith of multitudes in the gospel. AA 516.4"
"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
The EGW passage describes Peter's ministry and his fulfillment of the charge to care for the flock, which is directly based on Jesus's command to 'Feed my lambs' and 'Feed my sheep' in John 21:15-17.