I think you are saying that a person has to do good works of the flesh or they wont make It In but can you give a reasonable answer to why the thief on the cross did no physical works and his faith was enough?
God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. Acts 15:8
Without Love we are nothing.(1 Corinthians 13:1-3) and what counts is faith that is manifested in Love. (Galatians 5:6)
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37
For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
Romans 9:15-18
This is one of the best arguments against my point. When I was first confronted with it I told myself: "my opponents are right". But then I said: "wait a moment! How can we teach Gentiles to obey the scribes and the Pharisees?"
The transition from Old Covenant to New Covenant didn't happen overnight, it took more than 15 years. The Jews who accepted Christ continued keeping the Law for many years.
The resurrected Christ (before the ascension) could have told His disciples that salvation thereafter would be by grace through faith, but He didn't -- it seems that God planned for a smooth transition. New converts would first learn about Jesus' reinterpretation of the Law and later on they would learn about salvation by grace.
The transition from Old Covenant to New Covenant didn't happen overnight, it took more than 15 years. The Jews who accepted Christ continued keeping the Law for many years.
The resurrected Christ (before the ascension) could have told His disciples that salvation thereafter would be by grace through faith, but He didn't -- it seems that God planned for a smooth transition. New converts would first learn about Jesus' reinterpretation of the Law and later on they would learn about salvation by grace.
"How can we teach Gentiles to obey the scribes and the Pharisees?"
Romans 9:30-32
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Which of these two keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?
Those who work at the law but don't attain to Righteousness?
Or those who DON'T work at the law but DO attain to Righteousness?
You are operating under the fallacy that those who work at the law actually keep the law. If that were the case then there would be no reason for Christianity.
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Would you rather be righteous or would you rather work at the law?
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Which of these two keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?
Those who work at the law but don't attain to Righteousness?
Or those who DON'T work at the law but DO attain to Righteousness?
You are operating under the fallacy that those who work at the law actually keep the law. If that were the case then there would be no reason for Christianity.
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Would you rather be righteous or would you rather work at the law?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:10-12
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Corinthians 4:5-7