What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life?

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25 NIV)

A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 18:18 NIV)

Two person came to Jesus to ask Him what they must do to inherit eternal life. One was a Jewish lawyer (Luke 10:25-37) and another a rich man (Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, Luke 18:18-23).

Jesus did not give them right answer directly, which is, "You can do nothing to inherit eternal life."

Instead, He asked the rich man to give away all his wealth and the lawyer, who was a Jew, to love the Samaritan. To both of them, it was an impossible task. The rich man went away disappointed. We were not told of the lawyer's reaction.

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree" - so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:10-14 ESV)

Only Jesus can save. We can do nothing.