"One indivisible entity."

Some may think that God has a scale with two pans, placing in one the good deeds of a person and in the other his evil deeds, and then looking to see which pan outweighs the other in order to determine his eternal destiny.

But the Lord considers a person to be one indivisible entity. If he does good, it comes from his repentant heart; and if he does evil, it comes from his sinful heart (Matthew 18:35). Therefore, the Lord addresses us through His Word, saying:

"My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways."
(Proverbs 23:26)

The Lord addressed the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, giving each one a specific message. He praised and encouraged some, while warning and admonishing others, each according to its spiritual condition. For the Holy God sees in sin a reason for discipline or judgment.

Thus, no matter how many good works a person may do, they cannot persuade the Lord to overlook an unrepented sin. Nor can days and years erase sin.

Therefore, the Lord says to the church in Ephesus:

"I know your works, your labor, and your patience… Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent… or else I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."(Revelation 2:3, 5)

Her good works did not plead her case before the Lord. As the prophet Ezekiel said:

"The righteous man cannot live in the day of his sin."

Displaying our goodness or attempting to hide our faults benefits us nothing, for the Lord asks for our hearts. The Word of God also says:

"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all."
(James 2:10)

In this way, the Lord considers us as one whole being, carrying within ourselves either life or death.