Luther’s teaching: all the works of
men, even the most sanctified, are sin;
though the just ought to believe that his works are
sins, yet
he ought to be assured that they are not imputed.
Biblical argument:
James
2:14, 17 What good
is it, my brothers, if someone
says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith
save
him?. . . So also
faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Church’s teaching: the Church believed
and always taught what James
wrote in his letter--faith without works is dead, hence
good works
follow from the faith of the believer.
Council of Trent’s teaching:
On
Justification
Chapter XVI Before
men, therefore, who have
been justified in this manner,-whether they have
preserved
uninterruptedly the grace received, or whether they have
recovered
it when lost,-are to be set the words of the Apostle:
Abound in
every good work, knowing that your labor is not in vain
in the
Lord; for God is not unjust, that he should forget your
work, and
the love which you have shown in his name; and, do not
lose
your confidence, which hath a great reward.