Your Pastor's Favorite Verse - 2nd John verses 1 through 6 (NCV translation)

The scripture that I chose to preach over this past Sunday is found in that tiny small book in the Bible known as 2nd John.  It also contains my self-proclaimed favorite verse in scripture.  The verse in question is; 2 John, verse 6 - And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.

I have often called this verse "the Bible in one verse", but the reality is that it's the Bible in the last five words of the verse.  If we could all just live a life entirely of love, well, we would pretty much be covering what Christ tried to convey to us. Remember that bit about the most important commandment?

I particularly like the way that the 'New Century Version' translates this portion of the verse "Live a life of love".  In the sermon, I also mentioned the other ways that this verse is translated.  The 'New Revised Standard Version' translates it as such; 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.

We as Christians are called to walk in the path of Christ, we are to live a life of love... to walk in love with God's Creation and God's People, each and every day of our lives.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

2 John verses 1-6  New Century Version (NCV)
1 From the Elder.

To the chosen lady and her children:

I love all of you in the truth, and all those who know the truth love you. 2 We love you because of the truth that lives in us and will be with us forever.

3 Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, will be with us in truth and love.

4 I was very happy to learn that some of your children are following the way of truth, as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, this is not a new command but is the same command we have had from the beginning. I ask you that we all love each other. 6 And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.


2 John 1-6  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from[a] Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

4 I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 But now, dear lady, 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. 6 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.