Heroism

"More often than not, a hero's most epic battle is the one you never see; it's the battle that goes on within him or herself." -Kevin Smith

A true hero is not something that is easy for one to become.  Like a Jedi, one must master oneself before seeking to fight or defend another.  Battle with and eventual mastery of oneself are what keep a hero from becoming a villian.  Wrestling one's own selfish desires, pride and arrogance is what gives any ordinary person the ability to be heroic, to think and act beyond him or herself.

In essence, this is what Jesus has called his followers to do.  We are commanded to shed our old selves and put on the "new man," no longer giving into our own sinful desires.  This is exactly what a hero must do anything heroic.  One must master oneself, battle the natural, sinful desires of the flesh, in order to do the heroic.

Many people consider heroism the ability to engage in an outward battle, but the true battle is fought inside oneself.  By this definition, Jesus calls every Christian to be a hero.