The First Works

The Catholic idea the Church could evolve, giving up God given works for their own type of organization, was a beginning to faith only.

In their view a person or organization is justified by general faith and not by keeping the original works as given by Christ.

Luk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luk 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

Luk 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Changing the organization to wrest more power in a few men, giving them wealth and position was an abomination based in covetousness.

It was also serving two masters.

Just keep in mind that general faith did not give the right to dismiss original works.

Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

It is possible to work in Christ's name generally, but to deviate from Christ's original commission.

Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Justification isn't general faith, but specific compliance to a given stewardship.

When the Church becomes covetous, it loses specific intention and serves another master.

Remember Matthew 7,

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Remember the term iniquity can be translated lawlessness. They worked outside of the scope of Christ's commands.