I mentioned earlier that it is the person that determines the works, not the other way around. The world judges people by their works because no human can see the heart of a person. But God sees the heart of a person. And He is the ultimate judge because He is the Creator. It may appear that God judges a person according to his or her works. But the Bible tells us that the works do not change until the person changes. That is the promise of the new covenant. This principle is explained again in this chapter.

Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. (v. 1-2)

The parable of ten virgins starts with describing their characters. Five of them are foolish and act foolishly. The other five are prudent and act wisely. The foolish do not suddenly become wise and act wisely against their nature. Where does wisdom come from? How does it come? Wisdom comes from God, and it is freely given. No one can say, “I will be wise from now.” Whoever says that is foolish because the wise know where wisdom comes from.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1: 5-6)

Can a reprobate ask for wisdom and receive it? James says it is impossible because one must have faith in God for his prayer to be accepted by God.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:8)

It is important to notice that all ten virgins fell asleep. But only half of them were ready to receive the groom with their lamps burning. Those who have received wisdom from God act wisely.

The second parable of Matthew 25 is similar to the first one. Although the parable does not explain much about the character of each servant, we know that the third servant is worthless and lazy by his work.

But his master answered and said to him, ‘You worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed?Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore: take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ (v. 26-28)

The third servant blames his master for the result, but it is his laziness and foolishness that brings his demise. His master wisely gives him only one talent because he knows his character.  

To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. (v.15)

If the third servant knew of his own foolishness and sought mercy, he would have been considered wise. But he does not admit it and blames his master. It is the same in this world and churches. The reprobate do not have the ability to produce fruit. But they are given opportunity to produce it because God is merciful. They refuse to make fruit because they think they are wise, and the master is not. They blame their master for their evil works.

Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed.  And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you still have what is yours. (v.24-25)

The reprobate have a wrong understanding of God. Instead of blaming their foolishness, they blame God. They are afraid of God. But their own action shows that they do not revere God. They are loved by many people. They may appear to do good deeds, but they are not accepted by God. They consider themselves gods, but they are not. Their end is the second death.

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. (v.46)