I look at purgatory like this: If I am walking around feeling angry towards people, lustful towards women, indifferent towards sinners and get hit by a bus coming out of confession and die without knowing what hit me, I seriously doubt that I'll walk right into Heaven, because I know there isn't any anger, lust, or indifference (or hate, jealousy, etc.). Although God can think it and completely change my heart, I don't have any reason to think that I would deserve that special treatment. All of that would need to be purged from me. I do know this: I am still terrible at the things that plague me, but I am getting better, thank you to God, because He is transforming me. I know that I am guilty of all the seven deadly sins, and I am working on these through prayer and fasting, and it's much better to do this while still on earth. God have mercy on all of us!
I look at purgatory like this: If I am walking around feeling angry towards people, lustful towards women, indifferent towards sinners and get hit by a bus coming out of confession and die without knowing what hit me, I seriously doubt that I'll walk right into Heaven, because I know there isn't any anger, lust, or indifference (or hate, jealousy, etc.). Although God can think it and completely change my heart, I don't have any reason to think that I would deserve that special treatment. All of that would need to be purged from me. I do know this: I am still terrible at the things that plague me, but I am getting better, thank you to God, because He is transforming me. I know that I am guilty of all the seven deadly sins, and I am working on these through prayer and fasting, and it's much better to do this while still on earth. God have mercy on all of us!