The Father, therefore, through the Son reconciles us to Himself, not taking into account our offenses (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:19); and He calls us, not in so far as we are engaged in unseemly works, but in so far as we are idle; although idleness is also a sin, since we shall give an account even for an idle word (cf. Matthew 12:36). But, as I said, God overlooks former sins and calls us again and again. And what does He call us to do? To work in the vineyard, that is, to work on behalf of the branches, on behalf of ourselves. And afterwards–O the incomparable grandeur of His compassion!–He promises and gives us a reward for toiling on our own behalf. “Come”, He says,”receive eternal life, which I bestow abundantly; and as though in your debt I reward you in full for the labor of your journey and even for your very desire to receive eternal life from Me.”
~St Gregory Palamas (Philokalia vol.4, pp.299-300)
Prayerful Life 