Originally posted by whodey
The theif on the cross is the example of what I am talking about. He had NO chance to do any good works. In fact, he "deserved" his fate yet he attained eternal life.
Christianity is the only religion that I know that does not use the good works bad works scale of justice as you can only hope the good works outweigh the bad works. Perhaps the exception ...[text shortened]... ith the theif on the cross. Only God knows when this conversion takes place, not you, not me.
Nothing you say there contradicts what Paul said.
The Jews felt that salvation was for JEWS ONLY. Paul rebuked them for that view in Romans 2. He said that God is no respecter of persons. Do you understand that? That means that God does not care if you are Jew or Gentile or Christian. God is interested in one thing :
Rom 2:5 .... the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Paul also went into great detail about Gentiles who do not have the law, and who do good works will be judged according to their works. Trying to claim as Epi did that those Gentiles were Christians, or that nobody can do good works except Christians is twisting the Bible and very much like the Jews who Paul condemned.
Salvation can be awarded to anyone...
Some get it through faith only like the thief on the cross you are so fond of quoting,
Some through a combination of faith and works - I would say like the majority of Christians and Jews.
Some by works only, like some righteous non-Christian Gentiles.
This idea Christians have that only a Christian can do good works is absolute garbage and totally contrary to bible teaching.