Fruit equates to work.. and by the works/fruit we are rewarded.. So to be given the right to the Tree of life which equates to Everlasting life.. we must work or not be given the reward.
You are confusing the gift of eternal life with rewards. Your argument is smoke and mirrors/salvation by works. We are saved through faith and rewarded by works. Saved by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8,9). Eternal life is not a reward that we work for and earn. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23) and is not by works.
we are creating riddles...
Ephesians 2:8,9 is not a riddle.
Even so, we are to hear and do... to be faithful or unfaithful... neither you or I have the reward to give but must love and serve The Messiah who does. Without Him we are condemned.. so we ought to stay close to the Good Shepherd.
It's not about must serve the Messiah to become saved but will serve the Messiah IF we truly are saved. John 10:27 - My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (not some of them do and some of them don't). 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. Without believing in Him we are condemned.. (John 3:18).
The Righteousness of our Lord is what can pay the price of our sin.. but we have to love and obey Him.
Again, it's not about must or else but will. We have to BELIEVE IN HIM for salvation and those who truly are born of God love and obey Him BECAUSE they are saved and not in order to become saved. Without faith it's impossible to please God no matter how much so called love and obedience that someone attempts to conjure up through the flesh.
Romans 3:24 - being
justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.