Your succinct summary is wonderful. The only reason I felt the need to expand is because I don't think many 'teachings' phrase the lessons in that way. The main

Your succinct summary is wonderful. The only reason I felt the need to expand is because I don't think many 'teachings' phrase the lessons in that way. The main teachings I've heard are "believe and be saved" or "faith and works" - both of which omit the direct lesson you put in one sentence, that does build on an interpretation of scriptures. This omission leaves people like me to self-select, without realizing, a 'local maxima' that martyrdom is all there is. Believing that martyrdom is pure soothes high performance anxiety, in an almost 'perfect medication' way. This 'medication' is some people's first step, to become fully 'honorable.' To me, 'honor' is the higher state that I almost missed out on - and even still I recognize my current view of 'honor' as the global maxima may still be surpassed by a divinely nobler aim.