"No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.  Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."

John does not mix words here.

Make no mistake, John sees black and white here.  Either you are completely in God or you have nothing to do with Him.  There is no, "I'm a little in love with God."

Remember, John is speaking of abiding in Christ.  he wants us to pursue righteousness.  In order to do that, we must not have one foot in the fight and one foot in surrender.

Practice righteousness like God does.  Or do not.  No middle ground.

If you pursue righteousness, pursue total devotion.