The goats are caught by surprise. The sheep, on the other hand, are commended for their works of compassion to people around them. Obviously, works are an issue that will hold extreme importance. This passage strongly suggests that without works, there is no salvation. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
Works are what determines a person s eternal destiny.
Obviously, faith is not enough. Further teaching is made considering eternal judgement in Revelation. Chapter 20 speaks of how the dead will be judged according to their works. Faith is never mentioned. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.