Luther’s teaching: “sola fide”--faith alone justifies; faith
without works is
sufficient for salvation and alone justifies.
Biblical argument:
I
Corinthians 6:11 That is what some of you used to be;
but now you have had yourselves washed, you were
sanctified,
you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
and in
the Spirit of our God.
James
2:26 For just as a
body without a spirit is dead, so also
faith without works is dead.
Church’s teaching: justification is the supernatural sanctification and
renewal of
the person who thus becomes holy and pleasing to God;
the sinner is made holy, restored to God's friendship, in
the state
of grace.