"All who have been born into the heavenly family are in a special sense the brethren of our Lord. The love of Christ binds together the members of His family, and wherever that love is made manifest there the divine relationship is revealed. “Everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7 . DA 638.1"
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
Ellen White directly references 1 John 4:7 in this passage.
"Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God. DA 638.2"
"For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:"
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle outlined in Romans 2:14, that those without the written law can still be judged righteous based on their actions guided by natural law and the Holy Spirit. It's more than just a thematic parallel; it's a direct application of the principle.
"How surprised and gladdened will be the lowly among the nations, and among the heathen, to hear from the lips of the Saviour, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me”! How glad will be the heart of Infinite Love as His followers look up with surprise and joy at His words of approval! DA 638.3"
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on Matthew 25:40, making it a clear explicit allusion.
"But not to any class is Christ's love restricted. He identifies Himself with every child of humanity. That we might become members of the heavenly family, He became a member of the earthly family. He is the Son of man, and thus a brother to every son and daughter of Adam. His followers are not to feel themselves detached from the perishing world around them. They are a part of the great web of humanity; and Heaven looks upon them as brothers to sinners as well as to saints. The fallen, the erring, and the sinful, Christ's love embraces; and every deed of kindness done to uplift a fallen soul, every act of mercy, is accepted as done to Him. DA 638.4"
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
While it alludes to Matthew 25:40, it's more of a thematic parallel. The EGW passage expands on the idea of Christ identifying with humanity and the importance of acts of kindness, which is the core message of Matthew 25:40.
"For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"
The EGW passage echoes the principle in Hebrews 2:11 that Christ identifies with humanity, becoming a brother to all. The passage in Hebrews is the basis for the principle that Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren.