Ray, this suggests that salvation rests on the efforts of the believer, rather than placing their faith on the finished work of Christ. We place our faith in Christ's blood for this purpose (Rom 3:25), and nothing of ourselves (Eph 2:8-9). Otherwise, salvation is not the gift of God's grace, it would then be merited by our efforts (Rom 11:6). This truth helps the sinner in overcoming their sinful desires going forward from salvation. They know they will not be punished for "one last puff", as their sins were put on Christ. So, what's the point in continuing to rebel against God and puff away?

@MarkVestal "But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). Received is active tense, it is the action of the receiver. Receiving the gift of God is not a meritorious 'work'. Therefore it is the sovereign gift of God to provide an already completed salvation and the choice of every person to receive that gift or remain in condemnation (John :18).

@MikeBorden Yes, the believer must believe in order to receive God's gift. The believer is "sealed" at that moment "unto the day of redemption". Eph 1:12-13 "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," Eph 4:30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." It is important to be "active" in faith, but salvation occurs instantly at belief.

Faith without works is dead literally for Israel (James 1:1). Faith without works is dead is figuratively true for us who are under faith without works for salvation. Our lack of works has no bearing on our salvation, but yes...we should work for God post-salvation, as it is the least we can do for Him....who already did everything for us: Rom 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

@MarkVestal says "Our lack of works has no bearing on our salvation" — That's assuming that one has actually received salvation. Lack of works is an indication (certainly not proof) that one only thinks they have received salvation. (E.g. If I get carried away by emotion and insincerely take an altar call with my heart not really in it, I didn't really have faith and might be deluding myself after that.)

I agree, Ray. They would be making the cross "of none effect" if believing that it is by their own merits that they are saved. So, as you implied, salvation comes first and works are the result of it, rather than the means by which to obtain or maintain it.

(-1) Zero exegesis, or engagement with any texts - this is a purely opinion based answer.

@Stevecanhelp — Doesn't that apply to most of the other answers too? It's difficult to answer properly when the question doesn't define its terms. Vague or ambiguous questions deserve similar answers, or better yet, none at all until they are sufficiently improved. The question has 4 downvotes so far, and 3 votes-to-close for 3 different reasons. After 36 hours, why is this question still open?

@RayButterworth At Luke 23:41 one of the thieves on a cross next to Jesus said, "And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds;" At vs42, "And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" Jesus responds, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." On what basis did Jesus determine the thief would be with Him in Paradise?

@Mr.Bond asks "On what basis did Jesus determine the thief would be with Him in Paradise?" — See my answer to Is the thief on the cross the first person saved under the new covenant?. TL;DR:　The supplied comma is misplaced and Paradise isn't Heaven but the Earth at the end of the Millennium when the thief is part of the "second resurrection".

@RayButterworth "Salvation requires the latter kind of belief" you write as a conclusion; I agree 100%, but will not it be clearer had you put it in this way: "Salvation requires faith that is accompanied by putting to practice of this faith through relevant deeds"?

@RayButterworth Here's the question? "Is believing in Jesus Christ enough for salvation? I'm not interested in whether or not the thief was the first person saved under the new covenant? Nor am I interested in where a "comma" should or should not be. My point is the fact that the thief believed and it was "reckoned" as righteousness. Having faith in Jesus is the same as "believing" in Jesus. The request of the thief and the promise of Jesus reveal the validity of repentance in the final stages of life, so-called death bed repentance. Also note this man received salvation without works.

@Mr.Bond says "Also note this man received salvation without works." — No, he didn't receive salvation. He may very well do so in God's Kingdom after learning about God's way of life following his resurrection at the end of the Millennium (when he will "be with Christ"), but there is nothing in scripture to indicate that he received it before his death.

@RayButterworth You said, "No, he didn't receive salvation." And you know this how? At Luke 23:43 Jesus explicitly says, "Truly," (Truly means, "I am solemnly telling you the truth.) I say to you, "today" which in Strongs Lexicon word # 4594 means "this very day" you shall be with Me in Paradise." If he did not receive salvation upon believing at that moment Jesus would not had told him he would be in Paradise that day. Your also advocating people get a second chance when you say "he may very well do so in God's Kingdom later on." Your contradicting Hebrews 9:27. Who told you this stuff?

@Mr.Bond, why do you equate being in Paradise as receiving salvation? Why do you bind "today" with "be" rather than with "tell"? If I worked at a university, a high school student told me "remember me when you transfer to admissions", and I replied "I can tell you now that you'll be admitted", did that student receive a university diploma that very day?

@Mr.Bond says "people get a second chance". No, the second resurrection is when people get their first and only chance. Before they met that day, the thief probably knew nothing about Jesus; he hadn't had his first (and only) chance yet.

@RayButterworth Your taking me out of context and Jesus out of context. I'm no equating being in Paradise as receiving salvation. By believing in Jesus Christ Paradise is the result of salvation. What part of Jesus' words at Luke 23:43 don't you understand? Jesus clearly told the thief that "TODAY" you shall be with Me in Paradise after they both died. And you little inept example about the university student won't work because he was not transferred "TODAY.' And no, I did not say people get a second chance. Heb. 9:27, "as it is appointed for men to die ONCE and after this the judgment.

@Mr.Bond: "Jesus clearly told the thief that "TODAY" you shall be with Me in Paradise". No, Jesus clearly told the thief TODAY that he would be with him. ¶ "because he was not transferred "TODAY.'. Right, the thief did not go to Paradise TODAY*". ¶ "I did not say people get a second chance". True, you said that I was advocating that, when I did no such thing. I'll say it now, quite explicitly: The Bible contains nothing about getting a second chance at salvation. ¶ ""it is appointed for men to die ONCE and after this the judgment". Revelation mentions the "second death" four times.