How we cite our quotes: (Chapter: Verse)
Quote #7
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:17-19, NRSV)
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:17-19, KJV)
The elder continues: love not only makes us feel good and connected to God, it also keeps us from being fearful. If we're doing what God wants by loving, then what do we have to be afraid of? When the world ends, we'll be all set to ride the Love Train to Heaven.
Quote #8
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. (1 John 5:1-3, NRSV)
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. (1 John 5:1-3, KJV)
And…family metaphor. If you love someone, you have to love his kids, too. (Tell that to some of those wicked stepmothers.) According to the elder, that means loving Jesus and your fellow Christians, who are all technically "children of God."
Quote #9
I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it. (2 John 1:5-6, NRSV)
I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (2 John 1:5-6, KJV)
Again, the elder alludes to Jesus: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). He means to say that the community has been told by Jesus to love each other through the Gospel of John. And you definitely do not argue with a gospel.