The Inner Becomes the Outer

I suppose the greatest problem in Christian thinking, at least in evangelical thinking, is that God has fellowship with us now through forgiveness (grace) or mercy, and that at some point—probably when we die, or when the Lord comes—we suddenly will become consecrated saints, diligent disciples.
This is not true. What we are, we are. Dying will not change this. The coming of the Lord will not change this. Going to Heaven will not change this. What we are, we are.
Notice the following passages, which are commenting on Christian behavior:
Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy. Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. (Revelation 22:11,12—NIV)
But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10—NIV)
Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:28-30—NIV)
The three passages above show us that when we come face to face with Christ, whether at our death or when He appears, we will not be changed into righteousness. Rather it is true that we will face the consequences of our behavior.