It bears repeating

Look, I know it's moderately cheating since I posted this to my Facebook earlier today, but I think it's worth a re-mention (and perhaps some elaboration):

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."(John 15:18 NIV) 

News flash: This is NOT a free pass to make the world hate us, guys.

No, really. Could it be that maybe, just maybe, the stereotypical view of Christianity more closely mimics the Pharisees and Sadducees (that Jesus wanted shaken out of their complacency and legalism) than it resembles the radical, sacrificial love embodied in Christ?

More succinctly, are we as Christians "hated" for the right reasons? Are we classified under "hate" more than "love"? Would Jesus want it to be that way?

Food for thought. Discuss, if you're so inclined.