Bill, you seem well read and well informed.  

And my sense is that as you keep reading, you will find that when it comes to 'by all means, save some' Paul is not talking about eternal life, which he elsewhere makes repeatedly clear that our salvation is not of ourselves (Eph 2:8-9) and also not of Paul (1 Cor 1:14-15).  Rather he is describing their awareness of being saved while they were dead in sin (Eph 2:5) and the experience of life as a result. 

How about bringing to those whose minimize sin to a mere thought process the reality that they are saved not by anything they are capable of thinking, but by the Creator and Savior who ministered their salvation fully while they were dead in sin, incapable of thought of any kind.

Being loved and therefore loving at every turn is what Jesus affirms describes his disciples for all eternity ... that they know they are loved by Jesus and the result is loving one another.  No mention of any other identifying mark.