Why is kindness to animals important for Christians?
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Kindness to animals reflects God's character and our charge to serve as caretakers of His creation.
Kindness to animals is not only a moral obligation but also a representation of God's own benevolence towards all of His creations. Theologically, acting with compassion towards animals echoes the divine love and care that God extends to all living beings. By treating animals humanely, we imitate God's character as a steward of creation. Furthermore, recognizing that human sin has introduced suffering to the animal kingdom calls Christians to exhibit grace and leniency towards animals, thereby promoting their well-being as an extension of our love for God’s handiwork. Toplady emphasizes that our compassion should stem from an understanding of the interconnectedness of creation and God’s providential care.
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