Because you are drowning in a religion which adds works to what Christ accomplished and sealed as FINISHED, you are unable to see the difference between salvation of the spirit and rectification of the behavior mechanism. God didn't send His Son to die on that cross so your flesh could be rectified. He has Promised a new behavior mechanism and new body, so the one you now have as your flesh (soul + body being 'the flesh' is destined for obliteration. There is no purgatory to cleanse the flesh in which is deadness. GOD births a new spirit in anyone, ANY ONE, who believes in their heart (the will attached tot he spirit) that Jesus is Their Savior.
There is nothing except blasphemy to adding to what Only Jesus could accomplish, and Did accomplish once, for all, forever. Some will accept that 'tetelestai' and some will not. To those who believe He gave eternal life.
WHAT MORE must I do, to inherit Eternal Life?
First let me say, you sound like the rich young ruler, who asked Jesus the EXACT same question. Here was a guy, who had kept all the commandments (at least outwardly) and yet, he still had an inner feeling it wasn’t enough, when he asked, what more must I do, to inherit eternal life? The answer to that question, is NOTHING. You can’t do ANYTHING to inherit eternal life. You must do a John 3:3, and be born anew from above. That is called saving faith. Beyond that, there isn’t ANYTHING you can do. People, including you, me, and everyone, KNOW Jesus died for sinners, including you, me and everyone. That’s head knowledge. You, me and everyone, need an 18 inch conversion, from your head to your heart. that would be a John 3:3 conversion, from your head to your heart. You can say Jesus died for sinners, that’s a fact, and it doesn’t help you at all. When you can say, in my heart of hearts, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus died for me personally. THAT’S SALVATION BRO. Do you see the difference between head knowledge, and heart knowledge? One leads to hell, the other leads to Heaven.
The John 3:3 born anew experience happens ONLY ONCE in your life. ONLY ONCE, and it lasts forever. That’s a comforting thought.
Maybe the born anew experience has already happened to you. I hope so, but I don’t know. It’s between you and God.
What about good works? I am glad you asked, cuz I am going to tell you. Good works are good, but if you are relying on your good works to get saved, or stay saved, stop now. It won’t work. In God’s eyes, our good works are filthy rags. We don’t do good works to get saved, or to stay saved. We do good works, BECAUSE we are saved (forever) We do good works, to show our gratitude to God, for saving us from the fires of hell. If we could actually see the fires of hell, we would be so shocked, we would never choose to go there.
I don’t care what church church or sect you may attend, it’s doesn’t matter a hill of beans. I hope this helps. It’s from the heart. If you are honestly seeking the truth, take it to heart. If you are not seeking the truth, ignore everything I say, and continue on your merry way. There really isn’t anything else that can be said. The ball is in your court bro. 😀👍