Thats why we are called the "salt of the earth" Salt purifies.. heals and for sure stings those open gaping wounds.
Jesus also entered the temples and confronted the pharisees and sadducees..flipping tables over.. he also flat out told the rich guy to give up all his material items which he didnt do.
Salt of the earth refers to flavor and seasoning, not burning a wound. Salt with no flavor is worthless, to be cast to the ground and be trodden upon.
Wounds according to Jesus are to be bound, not burned into insanity. And salt does not purify anything. It preserves if used correctly, and lays waste if overused. It can soften the harshest water, melt ice, but too much salt turns water dead, and causes ice to freeze harder and last longer as ice.
Indeed, Jesus did correct the abusers of his father's house who talked of being righteous, but then turned the temple into a den of theives, for the love of "money".
He told the rich guy to give away all he owned and come follow Jesus, but he turned away in sadness for he had much material wealth. Jesus did not chastize the rich man, but quietly turned to the crowd and explained the difficulty for the materially obsessed to enter heaven. Can't serve two masters (God and mamman).
People have enough troubles as it is, just trying to survive here, let alone being beat over the head with condemnation and eternal suffering.
As I stated, there is an apporpriate way of getting the message of Jesus to people, but the wise will discern who needs what message, and when, and "how" it should be presented.
For example, telling me I'm going to hell, would simply get one a look followed by a picture of my back walking away. On the other hand, if one were to tell me of the good news and promise of peace (within myself), now that would pique my curiosity.
Mother Thresa never condemned a soul, but she helped many come to the Lord.
Paul was a master at reading the crowd he was dealing with. Some got his staunch encouragement, some got an arbitor, while some got blasted for their stupid arrogance.
Stephen took on not the low in station or the common man, but the haute couture, and he knew he was going to pay for that, but those watching learned much, and Christianity broke away from Judeasim at that point.
Can't put new wine in an old wine skin, lest it burst. Can't put an unshrunk patch on old cloth lest it tear.
Do you know what boldness in Christ is? It is quietly stating with no reserve or hesitiation, that one is Christian, when asked in front of "friends" who are not. It is living one's life contrary to what everyone else is doing, because it is not God's way. It is openly talking about one's own experiences and no fear in answer or explaining
to any who are even the least bit curious. It is waiting for a friend who is waking up from a bad hangover, and telling them if they continue, their ways will get the better of them. It is little things day to day, that people see and hear, that create a picture of the one as being a Christian, (some one they want in their corner when the stuff hits the fan). It is standing up for others, when they can't stand up for themselves.
There is nothing passive about Christianity, nor is there anything aggressive about it. It is quiet balance (peace and calm beyond understanding).
Christians are not emotional maniacs, or Crusaders out to crush those opposed to the Christian way. They are not the judges of people, as people. It's all about balance. Even the trinity concept is an example of perfect balance. All three legs of a three legged stool must be present in order for the stool to stand. Likewise a Christian must have moderate emotion, moderate mind and moderate (not overzealous) spirit.
Someone said "honey and vinegar". Honey is to be used on people, vinegar is to be used on the principalities and powers of the air that are not of God.
v/r
Joshua
