hi again Crossroads,
>"If you think rebuking someone shortly before they die is a
"good work". I'm sure McVieh will be happy to respond
favorably to any and all rebukes you would like to give him."
I dont think anyone is saying this amounted to a valid "work" that would nullify his past nor justify him or McVieh with God. The words he spoke has little or no value except for what it indicates about the individuals faith. It is the FAITH that saves us, the works (even if very small)simple prove the faith or complete it.
18 "Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works." .... 20 .. faith apart from works is inactive? 21 Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works AFTER he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 You behold that [his] faith worked along with his works and by [his] works [his] faith was perfected" James 2:18-22
"By his works his faith was perfected". The Greek word tanslated "perfected" literally means 'completed'. Cant have one without the other. The evil doer did not EARN anything with that one good deed before dying,he simply demonstrated the one thing God required to be justified with him, Faith!!
Jst2laws