FAVOURING OUR OWN KIND (LUKE 6:32-36)

REFLECTION It is a natural human instinct to gather with those who are like us. We find comfort in our “own kind”—our family, our friends, those who share our culture, or people who simply agree with our way of thinking. However, in Luke 6:32-36, Jesus presents a radical challenge to this way of living. He…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Apr 22, 2026

3–5 minutes

bible, faith, god, jesus, love

REFLECTION

It is a natural human instinct to gather with those who are like us. We find comfort in our “own kind”—our family, our friends, those who share our culture, or people who simply agree with our way of thinking. However, in Luke 6:32-36, Jesus presents a radical challenge to this way of living. He defines “favouring our own kind” not as a virtue, but as a practice that falls short of the Kingdom of God. In this passage, Jesus teaches his followers that true, godly love is not transactional or limited to a specific group; it is a universal, self-sacrificial force.

The Trap of Conditional Love

The passage begins with a sharp observation about human nature: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:32).

When we limit our kindness to those who treat us well, we are not really demonstrating the love of God. We are merely participating in a social exchange. If I scratch your back, you scratch mine. While this keeps social relationships smooth, it is not the kind of transformative love that changes the world. Jesus makes it clear that if our love is only based on “what I get in return,” we are no different from the rest of the world. The lesson here is that real discipleship requires us to go beyond our comfort zones and stop keeping score of who has been nice to us.

The Radical Call to Give Without Expectation

Jesus pushes the boundary even further when He says: “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” (Luke 6:35).

This is arguably one of the most difficult instructions in the Bible. It asks us to look at those outside our “inner circle”—or even those who actively oppose us—and treat them with the same dignity and generosity we would show a best friend. In a society where we often judge others based on how they serve our interests, this command forces us to stop being “users” of people and start being “givers.”

A practical example of this is how we treat the stranger in our workplace or community. Do we only help those who can help us later? Or do we offer our time and resources to someone who has nothing to offer us in return? As the Scripture reminds us in Matthew 5:46, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” We are called to be distinct.

Reflecting the Father’s Character

The motivation for this behaviour is not to be praised by people, but to be true children of God. Jesus concludes this section by saying: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36).

When we love beyond our “own kind,” we are actually reflecting the character of our Father in Heaven. God did not wait for us to become His friends before He loved us; He loved us while we were still His enemies. By showing mercy to those who are different from us, those who are difficult to deal with, or those who are in need, we become living mirrors of God’s grace.

Conclusion

“Favouring our own kind” is a natural human habit, but it is not the Christian calling. Jesus invites us to a higher standard of living—one where our love is not restricted by social status, past history, or personal gain. By loving our enemies and being generous without expectation, we break the cycle of selfishness and mirror the heart of our Father.

Call to Action: This week, identify one person who falls outside your “own kind”—perhaps someone who is often overlooked, or someone with whom you have a strained relationship. Find a small, practical way to show them kindness or support without asking for anything in return. Let your actions show that you are a child of the Most High.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us even when we were far from You. Please forgive us for the times we have been selfish with our love, keeping it only for those who make us feel comfortable. Open our eyes to see others through Your eyes. Give us the courage to step outside our comfort zones and show true, sacrificial kindness to those who are different, and even to those we find difficult to love. Help us to be more like You in our daily actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.