John makes the case in the opening verses of this chapter that our call to righteous living is possible because we have the seed of God in us. Beyond education or psychology or legislation, it is the life of God imparted to men that can produce the virtues of a holy life.

In view of the life that we have received, and the nature we now have, John wants us to set our hope aright and to make a break from every conscious practice of sin in our lives.