[vipBrooriErok]

It's not really possible to justify that one's particular belief is right based on the following one's belief has. After all, most of the world is not even Christian. But there are people who seek after and serve Christ without being aware of it themselves. God is the God of all people, and desires the salvation of every soul. He created each person and seeks to save each one in ways which are beyond our understanding. He is able to use everything to His purpose in spite of whatever might oppose it. For example, in spite of being a member of a heterodox confession of faith, people of good will are able to lead honest lives and seek after God. Have they reached Him yet? No. Have all the Orthodox reached God yet? No, sadly. The Orthodox have the advantage of the holy sacarments and pure confession of faith. But the non-Orthodox still have the loving will of God which seeks to save them. The thriving of heresies, like the spread of evil, is not God's intent. But He works still, in spite of it, often turning the evil of demons and men into good.

In the mention of good works, one should note that, just because someone feeds a hungry person does not mean that he has done good absolutely. If the intention is impure, a hungry man is fed, but what reward is there for him that fed him? He may have already received it, as the Lord said. Part of the underlying intention behind good works is faith. Just as faith without works is dead, so also are works without faith. One needs right faith and right behavior. One without the other, particularly if this is a willful omission, will not be beneficial.