THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
The righteous actions of individuals will indeed be rewarded, and those who commit to pursuing goodness are regarded by God in accordance with their actions and rewards. This truth is made clear by the Savior Himself, who illustrates that the distribution of talents is not uniform: He assigns one servant to rule over ten cities and another over five (Matthew 25:15-29). Each person's life is assessed, and the compensation will be proportionate to their goodness. The law of Moses also confirms this principle, as noted in the book of Numbers. Where then can we find the balance of reward, as you inquire?
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Have you not heard that the law explicitly states, "When any man shall offer prayers and burnt-offerings, if he slay a lamb, let him add to the sacrifice a tenth part of an ephah of wheat flour, and of wine and oil a fourth part of an hin." And if a ram is offered, the accompanying increase is to be a third part, acknowledging that a fourth part is less than a third. However, when presenting a bullock, the amount of wheat flour and other offerings surpasses even a third and approaches half.
You may recognize this, but what does it signify? The wheat flour symbolizes life, while the oil represents joy, as it is written, "Butter the face with oil" (Psalm 103:15). Wine signifies divine and spiritual cheerfulness, for it is said, "Wine makes glad the heart of man" (ibid.). Therefore, whatever fruits a person yields, God will also grant a life filled with joy and gladness. We do not claim that the life or vitality granted by God varies in quantity—that would be mere conjecture. Rather, when we refer to life, we speak of the glory within it, where one may surpass another, leading to differing degrees of honor. Yet even those with lesser glory will not lack honor, as "the star differs from star in glory" (1 Corinthians 15:41). This illustrates the glorious life of the saints, the distinction in sacrifices based on the quantity of offerings, which serves as a measure for their glorification.
What a remarkable and insightful explanation! Indeed, we affirm that there are varying degrees of glorification, and the rewards will be allocated by God in line with each one's merit. The wise Paul elucidates this when he states, "He that soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; but he that soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9:6). Prior to him, David declared, "The Lord will reward me according to my righteousness, and according to the purity of my hands He will repay me" (Psalm 17:21). Do you not agree that Paul’s righteousness differs from that of others who do not yet share his spiritual strength? He is bold in declaring, "I do not wish to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world was crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14).
Indeed, it is so! Furthermore, do we not recognize that John's purity stands apart from that of others, given his ascent to the heights of evangelical living? Let us concur: how could it be any other way? Thus, I ask you, will the righteous Judge of all expect us to possess a righteousness equal to all the commendable deeds of the saints, or will He, after assessing our inherent capabilities, require nothing beyond what each of us can accomplish? I believe you are correct, for Christ said, "And to whom much is entrusted, more will be required" (Luke 12:48). It follows, therefore, that those entrusted with less will certainly have less required of them.
The law indeed asserts that God will demand accountability according to what each person possesses. Being the ultimate Source and origin of grace and humanity beyond human understanding, He welcomes all who approach Him in faith, accepting each with what they bring and embracing spiritual offerings, without expecting anything beyond their capacity.