True faith is recognized by its fruit.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Mt.7, 21-23)
“With what hope will you pray to God when you yourself do not hear the prayers of people like yourself? How will you ask along with the others in church, “Grant this O Lord!” when you yourself do not give anything to the poor, although you are able to give?
With what lips will you say, “Hear me O Lord,” when you yourself do not hear the poor man; or more precisely, Christ Himself in that poor man, crying out to you?
With what hope will you stretch forth your hands to your Creator when you turn away another just like you, with outstretched hands? “
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
