Questioner: You said it takes great bravery to be a true child of God, when you use the word "bravery," are you referring to "bravery" as in life-threatening situations or are you referring to "bravery" as in a person standing against popular concept, popular social beliefs, so that they are following the path of God?
The Council: Well, let us say, we are speaking more of the second example that you have given, the internal strength of standing up for one's standards, the Divine Principles, although there are times when physical bravery runs hand in hand with the internal bravery. Do you understand?
Questioner: OK, thank you.
The Council: Sometimes, let us go to an example that most people could relate to. Suppose a child is in a burning building and someone runs and rescues the child, and that individual loses their life. That takes great bravery, but before that kind of bravery can be demonstrated, the internal bravery of one who has high standards must exist someplace within that individual for them to have a high enough conscience to be able to risk their lives for someone else. So, one cannot go without the other in the example we have given you. But, how fortunate the majority of mankind is that it is not necessary for them to risk their life and limb to prove their worthiness spiritually.
Questioner: Council, you gave the example of running into a building and giving up your life to save somebody. Isn't there a lot more realistic ways to give your life for somebody, just like taking care of somebody for their life or something like that?
The Council: Well, certainly, certainly. That is another badge of bravery. We gave that as an extreme, but it is an extreme. There are many ways of giving your life for someone else. Dedication to another individual. When you make a commitment to an individual, you are basically giving your life up for them. So, there are all forms of bravery. Two people who are in love and make an honest commitment, they are giving up their individuality to serve the other one. Both should be doing the same thing. There that takes great bravery, great bravery. Especially in your world today when there is so much
darkness of self-indulgence. Does that answer the question?
Questioner: Are you saying, someone like that would be brave because they are giving up their self-indulgences?
The Council: They are giving up their life which means they have already given up their self-indulgences. Certain things have to come in order. You have to be willing to give up your indulgent life, that puts you in a position where you understand your value as an individual, therefore you are able to give up yourself in benefit for someone else. You see the order?
Questioner: Yes, definitely.
The Council: So, there is an order in spiritual evolution, if we might use that term and do not take it literally, "spiritual evolution." You are already spiritual, it is just a question of are you going to exercise it or not. If not, you are going to lose it. It is that simple.
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