Quote Originally Posted by Loupey
If I can be so bold to summarize what I think I'm hearing...


A life-long criminal who is waiting on death-row who repents all his sins (or is saved - sorry don't know the right term perhaps) days before his execution is more Christian than...

...a life-long volunteer who helps out wherever needed and whenever asked, puts cash in donation baskets, sends clothing/toys/furniture off to shelters; but has never recognized God and Jesus?
As jgredline said, that is correct. We are saved by God's grace, if we believe, not by good works. We'll do good deeds because we love God, but good deeds alone will do us no good, if we don't believe and trust in God.