Expectations for Divine Judgment

Saint Theophan outlines the expectations given to us in Scripture for the Divine Judgment

1. Acknowledge the presence of the gift of grace within us.

2. Comprehend that the value of the grace for us is so great, that it is more precious than life itself, so that without it life is not even life.

3. Desire with all our strength to adapt this grace to ourselves, and to adapt ourselves to it, or, to put it another way, desire to imbue our entire nature with it, and become enlightened and sanctified.

4. Resolve to achieve this through the matter itself.

5. Carry this decision into reality, putting everything else aside, or, having removed one's heart from everything, give it over to the full action of divine grace.

When these five things are active in our lives he says that this will then begin our eternal rebirth and then if we continue to act with the same spirit continually in this inner rebirth of illumination will quickly grow.


Reference: Parable of the hidden treasure in the field (Matthew 13:44–46). The Spiritual Life, pp 134–135