It was an analogy, not meant to perfectly describe the condition we are under in regards to salvation.
Are you a parent? How do you judge whether you kid is good? Do you expect perfection? Neither does God, and we are God's children (adopted) as a result of Baptism. We are under a different system - the system of Grace, not the Law. Under the Law, men try to earn their way to heaven by attempting to perfectly fulfill the law. Under the system of Grace, God views us as children. If we please Him with faith and good deeds, He will judge us as righteous (which is not from ourselves but relies on our cooperation with His grace).
The balance scale refers to the legal idea, the system of Law. We don't list our child's faults and make a legal decision on whether they are "good" or not. God uses different guidelines. Do we have faith in Him? Do we have childlike trust in Him? Do we obey His commandments out of love for Him (rather than trying to earn)? Do we try to please God? We CAN know generally our direction - but we must persevere.
Brother in Christ
You are wise. :O)
Are you a parent? How do you judge whether you kid is good? Do you expect perfection? Neither does God, and we are God's children (adopted) as a result of Baptism. We are under a different system - the system of Grace, not the Law. Under the Law, men try to earn their way to heaven by attempting to perfectly fulfill the law. Under the system of Grace, God views us as children. If we please Him with faith and good deeds, He will judge us as righteous (which is not from ourselves but relies on our cooperation with His grace).
I agree that we are the children of God.
Do you posit a time when you shall cast any of your children away from you ... because they have not pleased you ?
Would you expect that God will be any less merciful to His children ?John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.