William Burkitt on Luke 18:18

We have here a considerable person, a ruler, coming to Christ, with an important question in his mouth, What must I do to inherit eternal life?

Where note,

1. He believes the certainty of a future state.

2. He professes a desire of an eternal happiness in that state.

3. He declares his readiness and willingness to do some good thing in order to the obtaining of that happiness.

Hence learn, that the light of nature, or natural religion, teaches men, that good works are necessary to salvation; or that some good thing must be done by them who at death expect eternal life; it is not talking well, and professing well, but living well, that entitles us to heaven and eternal life.