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I tried to find "the sacred command that was passed on to them" and found that it is not defined but many have thoughts about what it denotes - it seems that many consider it to be the whole of the commandments (which the Death and Resurrection fulfilled) and others consider it to be the great Commandment about loving God with every fiber of your being, and it's companion to love thy neighbor as thyself, because where there is love, there is no harm and that fulfills the intent of the original 10 commandments.

I have been saved and often reflect on my continuing human weaknesses and it often gives me pause. I take comfort in the bit about "The poor in spirit will inherit..." because it indicates that knowledge of one's continuing sinfulness (despite the sins being washed away and "recognized no more") and I also take some comfort in Paul's lament about how he still found himself doing that which he would not and not doing that which he would - if one who walked with the risen Christ could not toe the line, what chance do we have?

And when Romans chastises those who try to continue the old ways to become worthy of God through their own actions as having "fallen from Grace", it causes conflict within me because so many claim that once saved, we either remain obedient (a task that would have negated the death of Christ by sinners, for sinners) or question whether we have actually been saved.

Some say being saved means we never act sinfully again and other say it is like the return to Eden where there was only on "no-no" - being human, as God created us, was perfectly acceptable.

Any input or references you may deem helpful would be much appreciated.

God Bless