My answer to the above question is:
We must understand the importance of time element in trying to comprehend the truth of the bible.
John 14:12
[12]Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
The time element was the essence of the statement of Jesus "greater works than these shall ye do" because He spent a very short time on earth but apostle Paul had done much greater things than Jesus Christ because he stayed much longer on earth than Jesus Christ, Although, it was recorded that he did greater works than Christ, he is not greater than our Lord Jesus Christ.
The faith of the thief was sufficient for him to obtain paradise because of the situation (the time element). But if given another day to live, he would have coupled his faith with good works. A christian must do good works, it is not considered as filthy rags before God, because you do good works with God's help not by your power. You cannot do good works if you are not abiding in Jesus Christ. We do good works only because God is with us. If the good works or righteousness we are doing is the righteousness of God and we are doing it with the help of God and in love, it would not appear as filthy rags in the sight of God.
2 Timothy 3:17, KJV: "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
Hebrews 6:10, KJV: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
Faith alone is not enough to save you, Christ wants us to do good works as long as we live. Our good works would also qualify us to inherit eternal life.
