"The most careful cultivation of the outward proprieties of life is not sufficient to shut out all fretfulness, harsh judgment, and unbecoming speech. True refinement will never be revealed so long as self is considered as the supreme object. Love must dwell in the heart. A thoroughgoing Christian draws his motives of action from his deep heart love for his Master. Up through the roots of his affection for Christ springs an unselfish interest in his brethren. Love imparts to its possessor grace, propriety, and comeliness of deportment. It illuminates the countenance and subdues the voice; it refines and elevates the whole being. MH 490.1"
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,"
Both passages discuss the nature and effects of love/charity. EGW describes how love refines and elevates the being, while 1 Corinthians 13:4 describes the characteristics of charity, such as patience and kindness. The EGW passage amplifies the biblical concept of charity's transformative power.
"A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."
Both passages connect the inner state of a person (heart/treasure) with their outward actions and words. EGW states that love in the heart leads to unselfish interest and refined behavior, while Matthew 12:35 states that a good heart brings forth good things. The EGW passage elaborates on the principle found in Matthew.
"Life is chiefly made up, not of great sacrifices and wonderful achievements, but of little things. It is oftenest through the little things which seem so unworthy of notice that great good or evil is brought into our lives. It is through our failure to endure the tests that come to us in little things, that the habits are molded, the character misshaped; and when the greater tests come, they find us unready. Only by acting upon principle in the tests of daily life can we acquire power to stand firm and faithful in the most dangerous and most difficult positions. MH 490.2"
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."
This is a clear and direct parallel. Both passages emphasize the importance of faithfulness in small things as a preparation for greater responsibilities and challenges. EGW expands on this principle by explaining how habits and character are formed through these small tests.
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Both passages connect faithfulness in small things with greater rewards or responsibilities. EGW emphasizes that life is made up of little things and faithfulness in these prepares us for greater tests, while Matthew 25:21 speaks of being made ruler over many things because of faithfulness over a few.
"We are never alone. Whether we choose Him or not, we have a companion. Remember that wherever you are, whatever you do, God is there. Nothing that is said or done or thought can escape His attention. To your every word or deed you have a witness—the holy, sin-hating God. Before you speak or act, always think of this. As a Christian, you are a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King. Say no word, do no act, that shall bring dishonor upon “that worthy name by the which ye are called.” James 2:7 . MH 490.3"
"Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?"
Ellen White directly references James 2:7 in this passage.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
While EGW cites James 2:7, the principle of being a member of the royal family and acting accordingly is strongly echoed in 1 Peter 2:9. EGW's passage amplifies the idea of living in a way that reflects one's status as a child of God, which is a direct principle found in 1 Peter 2:9.
"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there."
Both passages emphasize God's omnipresence and awareness of our actions. While Psalm 139:7-8 is a more poetic and comprehensive statement of God's presence, the EGW passage applies this principle to daily life and moral choices.
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
Both passages emphasize that believers are not their own and should glorify God in their actions. The EGW passage focuses on avoiding dishonor to God's name, while 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 focuses on the body as a temple. The underlying principle of living to glorify God connects them.