Karma is a secular concept that should be shunned by Christians. Karma is defined as cause and effect. Future or immediate consequences to current actions. I see this word hurled around a lot, but I doubt that one realizes that we minimize our savior’s work when we assume that we are bound by karma.
‘ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ‘
-Galatians 6:7
Paul’s words in Galatians can be lightly translated as karma, but he is talking about seeds you sow in your heart and actions that manifest in the form of sin, through flesh.
In my mind Paul is emphasizing Proverbs 4:23
‘Keep your heart with all diligence,
-Proverbs 4:23
For out of it spring the issues of life.’
If you look at God’s love for us, there is no way you would believe that we will be judged the way Hinduism and Buddhism expect karma to work. Let me illustrate. When my little one was about 12, he rammed his skateboard into his bedroom door when he was practicing skateboarding in his room behind closed doors. He got in a lot of trouble, grounded for a day, no skateboarding in the house anymore and we did not repair the door until much later. He has to live with a gaping hole in his door. If we had to implement rules of karma, he would have had to replace the door. It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that he could not afford it then.
The consequence of our sins is death. Why do we think that we are better parents than God, do we? He pardoned our sins through the goodness of Jesus. Now, we do get disciplined, just like my little one was disciplined. It may seem like a world of hurt as a result of what we did, but it is a fraction of what we deserve. It is not measure for measure. The consequences we face transform us to be who God expects us to be. We are disciplined because we are loved.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for not imposing karma on us. We would never be able to repay; the evil we commit is far greater than the good we are capable of. Thank You for taking it all on Yourself and saving us from eternal doom. May we turn out gaze on You and cherish Your love for us. Amen.