Throughout the Bible, we are told to have an eternal perspective. We are reminded that this life is temporary; a “vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14) We are repeatedly told to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Col 3:2, John 6:27, Matt 6:19-21, 1 John 2:15-17, 1 Peter 1:13-15, etc.)

Not only are we, as God’s people, exhorted to have an eternal perspective, but we are warned against having the opposite mindset. In Philippians 3, Paul warns against being like those within the church who walk as “enemies of the cross of Christ.” With great sadness, he describes their characteristics and their fate: self-indulgent, with minds set on earthly things, whose end is destruction.

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 

Philippians 3:19

God’s perspective is eternal. Based on God’s word, I think most Christians would agree that we too should have an eternal perspective.


A subject that is more controversial among Christians, however, is our consideration of animals. If we are to have an eternal perspective, should Christians view animals through that same eternal lens?

I believe the answer is yes, for several reasons. For now, I will go over three reasons.

1. Including animals in our eternal perspective prepares us for eternity.

   Our time here in this current world is minuscule, in comparison to eternity. According to the scriptures, in heaven there is no sin, pain, suffering, or death. In other words, no slaughterhouses or flesh-eating which, unfortunately, has become normal in this fallen world.



   Similarly, in the new Heaven and Earth – which is where we as believers will dwell with the Lord forever in our glorified bodies – there will be no sin, evil, suffering, pain, killing or death. As Revelation 21 says, “The former things are passed away.” Humans and animals will live in peace and harmony, as God originally intended.



   Should we, as believers, prepare for eternity? Of course! That is basically what sanctification is about, preparing for eternity.

   

Should we, as believers, change our attitude toward animals, if we are currently considering them in a worldly, temporal and anthropocentric way? Yes, being prepared for eternity involves being transformed here and now, by changing the way we think.



   As Romans 12:2 says:

   “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”



   When I read Romans 12:2, I can see that God wants us to seek His perfect will, as opposed to the things God might permit in this fallen world.



   One aspect of God’s perfect will is peace and harmony among all creation. As we can see in Genesis 1:29, God’s ideal for mankind was a nonviolent, plant-based diet.

   

We are told to be perfect, as our heavenly father is perfect. (Matt 5:48) So as God’s children, we should aim for God’s perfect will. When we do, we will be more prepared for eternity. We don’t know what tomorrow may bring. Let’s begin preparing now!

2. Including animals in our eternal perspective honors God.



   As we know from reading Genesis 1:29-30, God’s original intent for all of creation was peace, nonviolence and a 100% plant-based diet. We also know that God’s future plan is to restore that peaceful world He created in the beginning.

   

Including animals in our eternal perspective – which means not eating them or exploiting them – honors God’s original intent and perfect will.

   It also honors God by treating His creation with love and respect, because GOD loves and cares about the animals He created. They belong to Him. (Psalm 24:1) God entrusted the animals to our care, but He is still their owner, and we are accountable to God for our actions. When we stop treating animals like our property to do whatever we want with, we are acknowledging that they belong to God and that He loves them and doesn’t want His animals – who are innocent – to suffer needlessly or live short lives of misery and abuse.


   Abstaining from eating animals also honors God because it honors our body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit. A whole food, plant-based diet reduces the risk for cancer, heart disease and numerous other illnesses, according to science and the world’s major dietetic organizations.

   
Our body should be a temple, not a tomb of exploited, terrorized animals. Caring more about our own health, as well as the animals of course, honors God who cares about both us and the animals.



3. Including animals in our eternal perspective sets us apart and makes us a better witness.

   

As Christians, sometimes we forget that the world is watching us. They are looking at us, to see if we “walk the walk” or just talk the talk.

   
Throughout the Bible, we are told to be distinct from others, different, set apart. 

We are told to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, gentleness, humility and patience. (Col 3:12)

   The tragic reality, however, is that many Christians are not that different than anyone else. We may go to church, but we fail to live lives that stand out from the crowd.

   

When we come to Christ, we are God’s ambassadors in this world. (2 Cor 5:20) We are supposed to point others to God, through our good actions and by showing God’s love and mercy. (Matt 5:16)

   

This may be a tough pill to swallow, but the truth is that when we eat or use animals needlessly – which supports cruelty, violence and killing – we are not pointing nonbelievers to our God of love.

   Ironically, most vegans today are very secular. They are not religious, and I believe that one of the reasons secular vegans are put off to religion is because many religions have a terrible track record when it comes to animals. They see the abuse, exploitation and in some cases the diabolical treatment of animals, that unfortunately many Christians participate in, knowingly or not.



   When secular vegans see the callousness or blissful unawareness of Christians in regard to animals, they are not seeing our God of love. In fact, in many cases, it turns them away from God, as they conclude that our God must be cruel and violent.

   

If we begin to view animals with a pre-fall, eternal perspective and change our mindset and treatment of animals, we will no longer be damaging our witness. We will stand out from the crowd and be examples of God’s kingdom on earth, through our love, mercy, kindness and respect for all of creation.

   

When you go vegan, you have so many opportunities to share the reasons WHY you choose to no longer eat animals. People will ask, “What made you go vegan?” Imagine having the opportunity to share the amazing truth that a plant-based diet was God’s original intent, and that part of God’s perfect will is peace and harmony among all creation! Or sharing the truth that our God is loving, kind and merciful, and He wants us to be that way too. Sharing those truths will indeed point nonbelievers to our God of love and mercy.



So there are just a few reasons to include animals in our eternal perspective, which we are encouraged to have.



To summarize, including animals in our eternal perspective prepares us for eternity, it honors God, and it vastly improves our witness to the non-Christian world.



I hope that these points provoke thought and introspection. Whether you agree or not, I would love to hear your thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment below!

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