The Thief on the Cross, presumably, did not have enough time left for good works, yet Jesus said, “today you will be with me in paradise.” He was saved by faith in Christ.
Much earlier, Abraham “was considered righteous because of his faith”. Later, in the NT, Paul taught we are saved by faith alone through grace. This was rediscovered in the Reformation by Luther and others — one of the solas of the Reformation is “Sola Fide” — by faith alone.
But, as James taught, a real faith then results in good works. A believer will seek to do these out of a thankful heart. While good works will not get one to paradise, they will result in rewards once there through faith.
