[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.

[thefrankbaum]

I believe I said earlier in this thread (although it may have been another) that "faith" is the internal, intellectual side of the coin, whereas "works" are the external, actualization side of things. Confessing the Faith is most certainly a work, which stems from the internal faith. Thus, many of the Martyrs of the Church are known as "confessors" (although usage has changed) - they refused to renounce their faith in the face of persecution. If the Protestant position is correct, what does it matter if they externally renounce their faith or not, if their internal faith in Christ is not shaken?

Now, works themselves do not merit grace - they, along with faith, are the means of accepting God's gift. Faith and works do not exist independently - they compliment each other! Why else would Jesus command actions of his followers and not mere faith?