The moderate Christian is loved by the world

Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (John 15: 18-21)

Christians are called to be the salt of the world. Salt was used to heal wounds. As we know, salt burns, but it preserves and protects us from filth. Because of this initial burning, it cannot be loved by the wounded, at least initially. If Christians conform to the secular mentalities that justify sin, they will be well liked by all and will not risk any persecution of any kind. No one likes to be persecuted, not even Jesus. But it takes the sting of persecution to be faithful to the God who came among his children who did not accept him. So who do we want to be like?  Moderate Christians, who are so well liked by the world, or like Christ, who for the sake of Good and Truth accepted immense abuse and misunderstanding?