Replies

FK: "True faith can INCREASE through works, but it cannot be FORMED through works."

I don't see the difference. However, the statement that faith can increase through works puts you in the perimeter allowed by Trent, just barely.

I was just thinking from the perspective that faith comes ONLY from God, it cannot be earned, started, formed, etc. through works.

During the lifelong process of sanctification our faith increases. Developing a servant heart is certainly part of sanctification. In my own case the actual doing of good works has helped me to develop a servant heart, so I see it as helping me to grow in faith.

I was just thinking from the perspective that faith comes ONLY from God, it cannot be earned, started, formed, etc. through works

God knocks on everyone's heart. We can either let Him in or not. That decision is ours. Love does not compel. he doesn't show the faith down out throats, or hearts if you will).

Once you accept God, your faith does grow. Our primitive steps are like the first steps in children. As we mature, we begin to discern God in terms that make Him even greater in our eyes than we could originally imagine, and ever more difficult to describe — or conceive. At the same time, our faith leads us to prayer, fasting and good works.

In my own case the actual doing of good works has helped me to develop a servant heart

Ah, very well. Like I said, this alone makes your understanding sufficiently Catholic. But why then do you say that you faith was not grown by your developing a "servant heart"? Faith is increased through work of free will:

5 [...] the apostles said to the Lord: Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said: If you had faith like to a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this mulberry tree, Be thou rooted up, and be thou transplanted into the sea: and it would obey you. 7 But which of you having a servant ploughing, or feeding cattle, will say to him, when he is come from the field: Immediately go, sit down to meat: 8 And will not rather say to him: Make ready my supper, and gird thyself, and serve me, whilst I eat and drink, and afterwards thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant, for doing the things which he commanded him? 10 I think not. So you also, when you shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do.