Trouble is with being 'saved' before being judged. And we shall be judged according to what we have done. If we are saved based on what we have done, then we will be saved by God's mercy alone because there is nothing we could possibly do to earn our salvation. However, it is important to God what we do.
Last moment repentance (the 'thief trick') will not work if you have been baptized and a christian all your life. Non-Christians can repent at the last moment; we have no excuse.
We cannot be saved by works, but our works will be the basis of our judgment. So, shed that cozy, don't-worry-be-happy macarena attitude dear protestant brothers, and get to work!
There is no salvation before judgment. That is another feel-good protestant innovation. Only after judgment will we be either saved or condemned; only then will we have a ticket to heaven or hell. But which ticket we get will have a lot to do with what we have done, for we shall be judged on it and while none of us deserve salvation, some will receive it for no other reason that God's incredible mercy.
Protestants "get to work" by sharing the Gospel of Christ with millions of people who have never heard it before. How do the Orthodox "get to work"? :)
There is no salvation before judgment. ... Only after judgment will we be either saved or condemned; only then will we have a ticket to heaven or hell. ... and while none of us deserve salvation, some will receive it for no other reason that God's incredible mercy.
My conception of theosis was an attainment of something, but here it sounds more like an awarding of something. Does that distinction make any sense?