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How are we finally judged in terms of works? Is it Judgment of whether or not our individual deeds were good or evil?

Judgment will be comprehensive of both faith and deeds. The Holy Scriptures provides us with many reflections about the importance of keeping both and warnings regarding the consequences of not keeping both. Faith and deeds are the main threads in Orthodoxy. Faith consists of beliefs, keeping the traditions, and observing all the Holy Mysteries. Deeds are essential for using all God’s provisions granted onto each one of us, whether much or little, to show love, mercy, and compassion. Faith without deeds is insufficient and deeds with faith is inadequate. God is just and merciful. Christians are distinguished by both faith and deeds.

During the Divine Liturgy, the priest prays, “He has appointed a Day for recompense, on which He will appear to judge the world in righteousness, and give each one according to his deeds.” The congregation responds by imploring God, “According to Your mercy, O Lord, and not according to our sins.” Regardless of anyone’s deeds of kindness, no matter how noble or honorable, God’s mercy is far more generous than we deserve.

These are a few verses to illustrate the need for both faith and deeds together and how judgment will be inclusive of both.

+ “You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:10-11).

+ “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:19-23).

+ “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:18-20).

+ “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers” (Luke 12:45-46).

+ “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.
But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone”
(Luke 11:39-42).

+ “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:29-30).

+ "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'”
(Matthew 25:34-40).

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