[thefrankbaum]

40 Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us."
41 The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?
42 And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal."
43 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
44 He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Apologetics and defense of God are works. The Good Thief's rebuking of the other's mocking was a work, a work born from his faith in Christ.

[sirchtruth]

Apologetics and defense of God are works. The Good Thief's rebuking of the other's mocking was a work, a work born from his faith in Christ.

First of all he was confessing his sin, secondly, he referred to Jesus as "Lord." His faith was not alive because he "rebuked" the other, it was because he placed it in the "Lord." And besides, "Faith" does not save, "Grace" does. Only God's Grace!

[Ransomed]

Good post.

Freegards

[daniel1212]

“The Good Thief’s [criminal] rebuking of the other’s mocking was a work, a work born from his faith in Christ.”

True, as any human response can be considered as a “work” in the strictest sense, but Biblically it is an outwardly confessional faith which testifies of the possession of saving faith. The key aspect is that it is not on account of any merit of such works that one is justified by, but by imputed righteousness, appropriated by God-given faith, which rests in Christ as his Savior and follows Him as his Lord. To God be all the glory.