There is a
difference between character and faith; it is often very hard to accept this
fact and put up with it, but the fact remains that a person may believe in and
love the Cause -- even to being ready to die for it -- and yet not have a good
personal character, or possess traits at variance with the teachings. We should
try to change, to let the Power of God help recreate us and make us true
Bahá'ís in deed as well as in belief. But sometimes the process is slow,
sometimes it never happens because the individual does not try hard enough. But
these things cause us suffering and are a test to us in our
fellow-believers, most especially if we love them and have been their
teacher!
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 17 October 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi to an individual believer; ‘The Unfolding Destiny’)
