OP recognizing, as I often have, that you far surpass me in debating skills, I'd have to ask some questions.
I do not find another reference to faith being a work. Is there another?
That said, I think we also need to recognize that other translations say "the work of your faith" which is a bit different than the "work of faith."
That also said, I look at the parallel construction of work of faith, labour of love and patience of hope. That is not the only time that Paul uses such a grouping.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
In the parallel construction there, if "faith" is a work, does that mean that "hope" and "charity" are also works?
Consider...
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Are the fruits of the Spirit considered "works?"
And finally...
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Now granted, I have read (and I wish I could recall the source) that the proper construction of this sentence means that the "gift" refers to "grace" and not "faith." But it is my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong), that Calvinists believe that this verse means "faith" is the "gift."
Illuminate me.
Seriously.
You've proven our point, Corin.
Of course our hope and our charity are works, just like our faith is a work. We possess faith, believe in Scripture, hope in Christ, and act charitably because the Holy Ghost enables us to bear good fruit.
But we are saved, not by our good works, but by God's grace alone.