Yes, our attitude of the heart is of the ultimate importance. And since our bodies and minds and hearts are one amalgamation, our actions display our hearts (as Pope John Paul II was so clear in stating when he discussed his theology of the body). Thus, we cannot JUST have warm fuzzies inside of us! Love demands action, a giving of oneself. When we love, we naturally do - we give of ourselves to the other, as Christ did on the Cross. That is what I meant by "works of love" are necessary for salvation when I posted that yesterday.
Certainly it was the heart attitudes which distinguished the two thieves at the crucifixion ... rather than their catalogue of works (which one would assume were rather criminal).
True, but be careful. The "good" thief ALSO did "works" (I prefer deeds, as people tend to take on Paul's definition of the word). He first believed that Christ was something more than a criminal. He came to repent of his sin. He realized he had done wrong and was being justly punished. He rebuked the other crinimal. Thus, he also has a "catalog" of deeds where he showed his love of Christ. All of this, of course, was because God was working inside of this man - and the man chose to cooperate with God, being pleasing to Him. Thus, in the end, the man was pleasing to God - and was declared righteous before God - because of his faith and deeds.
Brother in Christ
Certainly it was the heart attitudes which distinguished the two thieves at the crucifixion ... rather than their catalogue of works (which one would assume were rather criminal).
True, but be careful. The "good" thief ALSO did "works" (I prefer deeds, as people tend to take on Paul's definition of the word). He first believed that Christ was something more than a criminal. He came to repent of his sin. He realized he had done wrong and was being justly punished. He rebuked the other crinimal. Thus, he also has a "catalog" of deeds where he showed his love of Christ. All of this, of course, was because God was working inside of this man - and the man chose to cooperate with God, being pleasing to Him. Thus, in the end, the man was pleasing to God - and was declared righteous before God - because of his faith and deeds.
I agree with much that you say here.
I believe that the repentant thief on the cross is an excellent example of how one's faith ... leads to works of righteousness.
In such a short span of time, ... this thief produced such works, ... and, quite naturally (i.e. ... of his new nature), ... it appears (i.e. ... he wasn't coerced into his works).
And I note ... that his faith ... preceded these works. Without his belief that Jesus was Who He said that He was, ... none of these works would have come to pass ... and none of these works preceded his faith.
This accords with my belief that genuine faith and acceptance (i.e. in Who Jesus was/is ... and what He came to accomplish) ... will produce such works as those produced by the dying thief.
If he had continued to live with such faith ... he would have produced even more works for God.
This accords with Jesus' own statement ...John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.May we all do likewise.