Is faith a static possession, or a lived allegiance? Does “faith automatically producing good works” imply perfection? If faith automatically and mechanically produced good works in a deterministic way, then commands to love would be redundant, warnings about dead or shipwrecked faith would be incoherent, and exhortations to “continue,” “stand firm,” or “work out” faith would be unnecessary instead we are reminded countless times to love one another. To love God. In Galatians 5:6 Paul explicitly tells us “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love”. Here are 2 verses that separate faith & working through love. in James 2:56 we have“faith without works is also dead”. In James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith”. In 1 Timothy 1:19 we are taught Faith can be shipwrecked. We are told this in the book of James and by Paul without contradiction. We learn working through love and faith are separate but join together to become one as we apply them. Works are not the source of our salvation. But are necessary for faith to be alive. If we are taught. Faith must be worked out (Phil 2:12), Faith must continue (Col 1:23), Faith can be shipwrecked (1 Tim 1:19), Faith can be dead (James 2). Where would the idea that faith automatically produces good works spring from? It may seem like I am just verse dropping, but this is purposeful because this is not cherry picking. This is showing you multiple sources that faith & working through love joins coherent when applied. God does not need our works. But our faith, our obedience, our love. Our lord loves us so much he gave us the will to decide if we may be with him or not. Us who believe this are not adding to faith we are refusing to reduce it as we are told in scripture.
This work represents a developing theological reflection written in fidelity to the Catholic Church. Revisions may occur as understanding deepens.
1/03/2025
Veiled Disciple 