[sirchtruth]

What is it about John 3:16 people don't get? What were the works of the theif on the cross when he said, "Lord, remember me...?"

Faith might die without works, but not salvation! That can never be taken away because you can not perish. The scipture is very clear on this point, doubters turn it into something which is completely bogus, unfortunately to their detriment.

[dangus]

True faith is CONFIRMED by works. If a man's works do not confirm his faith, then his faith is either insincere, or misplaced. In the case of the thief, he reprimanded a sinner, confessed his own sins, and testified to the world the innocence of Christ. Although he lived very briefly after encountering Christ, his faith was very clearly confirmed by his works.

Whereas sola fides is a very serious error, the reverse error, that one can work your way to salvation in the absence of faith, is certainly horrifically grave. But then, just as faith is confirmed by works, faith is also indicated by works. Who would invest a lifetime of work in promoting the gospel, if one did not have faith in the gospel?

What is particularly evil is the replacement of divine work by earthly work: striving to humanitarianism without promoting the gospel, the notion that one merely needs to "strive to improve their community" without taking instruction from the Word as to how to do that. Hence, Christianity is gravely discredited by Catholics like Kennedy and Pelosi, Baptists like Clinton, Gore and Carter, Presbyterians like Mondale, Eisenhower and Dole; Orthodox like Dukakis and Illinois Gov. Blogojevich. Such is the work of the anti-Christ: to take the good-willed efforts of would-be Christians, and confound them by directing them to worldly efforts, which end up opposing the work of Christ.

[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.

[Petronski]

What is it about John 3:16 people don't get?

Ironic to ask that question of a Calvinist.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son: that whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world: but that the world may be saved by him.

Not the "elect," but "the world."

[piytar]

“What were the works of the theif on the cross when he said, ‘Lord, remember me...?’”

JMHO, but simply saying that — showing his faith while being crucified himself — was a “work.” And frankly, given the circumstances, a pretty big one.