Resurrection and our response to it...

"The resurrection is the restoration of our human nature. Such things God gives freely, for just as He forms us without us willing it, so He forms us anew though we contributed nothing to it. On the other hand, the Kingdom and vision of God and union with Christ are privileges which depend on willingness... One need not therefore marvel that while all will live in immortality, it is not all who will live in blessedness. All equally enjoy God's providence for our nature, but it is only those who are devout toward God who enjoy the gifts which adorn their willingness. This is the reason: God indeed wills all good things for all men and imparts to all alike of all His own gifts, both those which benefit the will and those which restore our nature. On our part we all receive the gifts of God which perain to nature even though we do not desire them, since we cannot escape them... As for the things which depend on human willingness, such as choosing that which is good, the forgiveness of sins, uprightness of character, purity of soul, love of God--their reward is final blessedness. These things WE have the power to accept or to shun. Therefore those who are willing are able to enjoy them, but as for the unwilling, how would it be possible? It is impossible for the unwilling to wish for them or to be compelled to be willing."

St. Nicholas Cabasilas--The Life in Christ, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY 1974.