How we cite our quotes: (Chapter: Verse)
Quote #4
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now. (1 John 3:1-2, NRSV)
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God. (1 John 3:1-2, KJV)
Sounds like a pretty elect group: God's children. They're all like one big happy family…with a tiny bit of dysfunction on the side.
Quote #5
All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them[…] How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. (1 John 3:15, 17-18, NRSV)
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him[…] But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:15, 17-18, KJV)
You heard it here first: if you don't love other folks in the community, you're just as bad as a murderer. Pretty harsh, elder. He's also pretty clear that Christians have an obligation to care for each other when they're in need. It isn't enough just to say you love others—you've got to live it.
Quote #6
The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. (1 John 4:21, NRSV)
This commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (1 John 4:21, KJV)
Note that this passage doesn't say that a person who loves God has to love everyone. You only need to love and care for your fellow Christians, says the elder. This "love one another" thing is getting easier every day.