If a man show not what is generally thought too great a conformity to the image of Christ, nor too little conformity to the ways of the world, that man will be idolized; but then it must be observed, that this love towards him does not arise from what the people of the world see in him agreeable to the temper of Jesus Christ, but from what they perceive in him correspondent with what their own sentiments and conduct, whilst the holy, wary walk of the true believer, is a thorn in the side of every counterfeit professer [old sp]. Sir Richard Hill
This is once again a very powerful comment on how much the world has entered into the professing Church. It is fine with the world and with professing Christianity for people to be moral, and perhaps even a stringent external morality at times, but a pursuit of true conformity to the image of Christ is hated. Men are thought to be too religious, too legalistic, and holier-than-thou when they want to be like Christ and seek to be like Him.
It is okay to be some religious to even a fair amount religious just as long as you have enough of the world to temper you and make you acceptable. The world cannot stand those who have very little to almost none of the world in them or in their practices and living, because that is to be different than they are and it appears to stand in judgment of the world. Men can even appreciate a minister who is religious and will not do all that they do, but they don’t want one who is like Christ who is the God they hate.
It appears that the quote above is dealing with religious professors primarily if not exclusively. A minister that speaks well and is like the world at the same time (though not too much since we want our ministers to be a little better than we are) will indeed be idolized. This can be seen by all the mega-“church” pastors. They can dress like the world and act like the world as long as they don’t go too far. As long as a minister preaches a message that encourages people in their little sins (in their own minds) and will not condemn them in their worldly pursuits, that man can go far and will be greatly loved by the people.
But as Sire Richard Hill notes, that is not a true love that flows from a love for Christ. Even the worst of sinners love those who love them, though that is not a true love that comes from God and is not the love that is the fruit of the Spirit. When people love a minister because he will water his message down for the sake of being loved, they love him (again, not a biblical love) because he goes along with their behavior and ideals. People love to have their ears tickled with nice and easy messages that do not prick their consciences and wake them up from their spiritual and physical slumbers.
This is also true about professing Christians in general as well. As long as the professing Christian is nice and easy to get along with and is not too different from the general people and their general morality, that person can get along with people quite well. However, when a Christian stands for the truth and attempts to walk in holiness, those around that person will be irritated and some will simply be mad. It must be pointed out that the unrighteous, whether they are professing believers or not, are confronted with Christ whether in word or life, it will irritate them and arouse their enmity toward God. Every true believer is indeed an irritant to every professing but false believer, and perhaps more irritating to the professing believer than to the worldly person with no profession.
What happens, then, is that the believer will be hated, mocked, and generally made fun of. The true believer does not play well with others and as such is not liked. This shows how much the world and counterfeit believers hate Christ all the time and simply want to be at peace with their own unbelief. This should also tell true believers that all good must come from Christ as their flesh will not make anyone uncomfortable in this way. This should also show true believers how much they need grace to live for Christ as it is His grace in them that shines forth His glory through them. Believers need to rest in the righteousness of Christ and not what other people think of them. The true believer in the modern day is surrounded by worldly people and counterfeit professors who are at enmity with God. They cannot expect to live at peace.
God Loves... Himself 
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