Jesus wants us to have a close relationship with him.

As modern scholar John Piper (www.desiringgod.org)  says, God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.

Love the lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and with all your strength.

It seems to me that Jesus loves all people, but He will only abide with those who choose to abide in Him. There is also a special kind of love that He gives to those who love Him. "..and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him." (Jn 14:21)

Jesus' love is unconditional, but experiencing His love is conditional. The condition is that we truly repent and love Him and seek to obey His commandments. A faith without works is dead (James) but at the same time, it is not by works that we are saved, but by grace. Our gratitude and faith towards Him.

In the North American society, we aren't afraid to 'care'. We give money to charity, we set up organizations, and do things to 'care'. But we keep things at arms length. As long as it doesn't get too close, it's good, as long as we don't get our hands too dirty we are fine.

I used to do some ministry work with drug addicts and working girls. I had deep love for these people and would do things I would for a normal friend. I would hug them and such even when it violates the organization's rule. I gave away my shoes and placed myself in danger because there could be drug needles anywhere. While I was too young to realize that, I really loved from my heart. I ended up leaving the ministry because that kind of caring arent allowed.

 I could understand where the ministry was coming from. It is their responsibility to protect their workers and make sure that they dont cross unnecessary boundaries that might put themselves in danger, so I am not bitter at them, I am just really quenched of my passion because I don't understand how we can fully love those people if we dont get to their level. I know I am still young and have lots to learn. But what is the line between regulations and compassion" How can I love them truly, deeply, not holding anything back, and yet be 'in regulation' "

ps the question mark keeps turning into a double quotation mark. I cant get it to change. sorry about that.

Jesus believes that lowly people are valuable. They are so valuable that He considers anyone who receives them to be receiving himself. He loves them as his own.

It seems to me that it is more the state of heart that Jesus is concerned about, a poor and humble state of heart.

In today's society, we see prostitutes, beggars, drug addicts as 'lowly people' but in fact, they are really really valuable to Jesus. Jesus warns us not to discriminate against them but to love them and receive them.