We are in a family feud - believers/unbelievers, righteous/wicked, children of God/children of the devil. At one time we were all members of the other family, but God has made us his children and we must continue to remove any vestiges of our previous life. Though this ongoing feud is costly and tiring, let us continue to hold strong as John directs us that we might have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.