St. Paul provides some of the clearest and strongest biblical teachings on Purgatory.  In his first Epistle to the Corinthians Paul describes how each of us, after death, will be tested by fire:

For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — each man’s work will become manifest; for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.  If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

The fire of loss is the fire of Hell. The saving fire is the purgative fire of Purgatory.  The purgative, saving fire brings a soul to full holiness; for “without holiness, no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).   This is why a soul who desires to dwell with God and glorify God desires to be purified before seeing the face of the Lord.   A soul burden with the residuals of sin is encumbered in its ability to glorify God.  Through His infinite mercy, God purges the residuals of sin with fire and lovingly draws the soul in.

Oh, how our souls should yearn for the fire of Christ’s scared heart, a heart that burns with love and mercy!  Oh, to be consumed and purified by the fires of His heart.