WELS understands James 2:24 to teach that faith and works are inseparable — genuine, living faith must produce works. However, this is not to say that works merit or cause justification. Justification is by faith alone, sola fide. James is addressing the problem of false, dead faith (faith without corresponding works); he is not teaching that justification requires works as a meritorious cause.

WELS strict confessional subscription includes the careful distinction between justification (forensic imputation of Christ's righteousness by faith) and sanctification (the growth in holiness that works express). Works prove the reality and liveliness of faith; a faith that produces no works is not genuine saving faith. This interpretation maintains the Lutheran principle that 'we do not become righteous by doing righteous deeds; righteous deeds are done by those who are righteous.'