Something from ... Augustine on faith and good works

Martin Luther found much in St. Augustine's writings that he liked, especially since Augustine confirmed for Luther what he himself was finding as he read the Bible.  Luther was never interested in starting a new church or even a sect within the church.  Lutherans have always insisted that we are the church catholic.  We have not invented anything.  We believe, teach, and confess what the Church has always believed, taught, and confessed.  The Augsburg Confession takes great pains to say as much.

Here is a comment from Augustine regarding the relationship between faith and works.  While Lutherans confess that we are saved by faith alone apart from works (Romans 3:28), we also insist that faith is never alone (James 2:14-17).  Faith produces good works.  It is not our works that save, however.  It is faith in Jesus Christ who has done all the works for us that saves.  Whatever works we do are purified in Christ.  All our righteousness--our status and the works that the Holy Spirit works in us--comes through Jesus.

So, Augustine was a Lutheran.  Or, Lutherans are Augustinian in this regard.  Or both are Christian, holding to the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Or both are catholic, standing with the Church in its faithful teaching of Scripture.  

“Not that he denied good works, or emptied them of their value, when he says that God renders to every man according to his works; Romans 2:6 but because works proceed from faith, and not faith from works.  Therefore it is from Him that we have works of righteousness, from whom comes also faith itself, concerning which it is written, The just shall live by faith. Habakkuk 2:4” (Augustine, Selections from “On Grace and Free Will,” chapter 17)