The word “karma” has gained pretty widespread use in society today. People use it often in reference to problems that others are having, declaring that it’s just “karma” getting back at them. They are, of course, assuming that karma is an active force in the world and that it has a direct impact on all of our lives. This definition of karma sees it as an impersonal force that is woven into each of our lives, righting wrongs by making those who did wrong pay for their crimes.
The Roots of Karma
Such a definition of karma is in fact wrong, at least by the original definition of the concept. The concept of karma originally comes from Hinduism and was later adopted by Buddhism. It is closely tied to these religions’ belief in reincarnation and has a direct impact on what happens to people when they reincarnate.
The basic idea of reincarnation is that we each live many lives, one after the other, with only a short rest period in between them. This is not because there is any shortage of people or human souls, but rather as part of a process of perfecting us. In each life, we are to learn lessons which will help us to grow and become more perfect, with the ultimate goal of reaching “nirvana.”
Karma fits into this belief of reincarnation in that it affects how the next life will be lived. The deeds of the past life are weighed, for lack of a better term, and used to determine the circumstances of the next life. If a person lived a good life, displaying positive moral character, as defined by Hinduism or Buddhism, they would be born into circumstances which allowed them to have a better life. But if they lived a bad life, displaying negative moral character, they would be placed into a worse life, with the idea that it would teach them what they hadn’t learned in the past life. This new life could include being reborn as an animal or even an insect, if that were deemed necessary by karma.
It’s important in this understanding to realize that karma is a force, not an individual. While there are some sources which say that the individual would have a part in determining their next life, it is largely determined without their input. There is no supreme being which makes the decision, although those who have reached nirvana might have a say in it. As in many other religions, there are variances in the exact process of this belief too.
Since karma is a Hindu concept, the idea of the word karma or even the concept existing in the Bible is totally mistaken. While some might try to equate karma with consequences for sin or with what God does in our lives is a stretch, made by people who are trying to give karma legitimacy within Christianity.
Karma in Modern Culture
While it is possible that some people who use the word “karma” in modern American culture, believe in reincarnation, the way the word is used has nothing to do with living another life or a series of lives. Rather, it is used to talk about bad things that happen to people, supposedly in payment or retribution for bad things they have done.
This idea has a way of stigmatizing people, as once the word karma is applied to someone’s life, it is assumed that they deserve what is happening to them, without any proof given. Sometimes, this is applied to people who do not deserve even the accusation, such as someone suffering from cancer; yet rather than receiving sympathy, support and prayers, they end up receiving an unjust judgment, from someone who may very well be projecting the failings in their own life onto the person who they are saying is only receiving “karma.”
This makes the idea of karma, as it is used in society today, a very cruel judgment to place on another person. While it is possible that some people who are suffering might actually deserve to suffer for some sin they have committed; it is not up to us to judge them. Anyone who chooses to judge that person, saying they deserve the pain and suffering they are going through, is putting themselves in the place of God.
Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? – James 4:11-12
The idea that there would be some universal force, which is able to judge us for our actions, in real time, and provide consequences, is incredible, requiring more faith than believing in God. Most people don’t actually have that faith and don’t believe that all actions are judged in real time, with consequences to follow. This doesn’t stop them from acting as if they do believe it though, accepting or even rejoicing in the cruel irony of someone else suffering for some imagined failing or slight.
This idea became part of modern culture first through a song by John Lennon, entitled “Instant Karma.” This song introduced the modern, western idea of karma, talking about how karma was going to get people for their actions. It has literally become the authority behind the western concept of karma.
Karma in the Bible
The word karma doesn’t appear in the Bible, as it is not a biblical concept. However, the concept that is often referred to as “karma” is a biblical concept; that is the concept of sowing and reaping. God Himself has created spiritual laws which make it so that we do receive judgment for our actions. He has made this imminently clear in various verses of the Bible.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. – Galatians 6:7
This is not some impersonal “force” making this happen; but rather a natural consequence of our actions. We get a better picture of it, when we look at the verse which follows that one.
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. – Galatians 6:8
This may happen in the spirit, but it can also happen in the flesh. It is common knowledge that smoking leads to lung cancer, a natural consequence to smoking. In a similar way, those who are sexually promiscuous are much more likely to become infected with venereal disease, some types of which can have rather serious repercussions.
Does this mean that God wishes these diseases on people, as payment for their sins? By no means. God’s desire is that we live in a just and upright manner, one in which our lives might bring glory to His name. But He also recognizes our failings and that our flesh nature gets in the way of our serving Him in the way that we should.
Never assume that just because bad things are happening in someone’s life, that means that they have done wrong and are reaping what they had sown. This is the mistake that Job’s friends made, when they came to visit him. Throughout their discussion, they constantly harped upon the fact that bad things happen to bad people, not to good people. Therefore, because bad things were happening to Job, he must be bad.
Both bad and good things happen to bad and good people. They are not an indication of the person’s character. Jesus made this clear in the Sermon on the Mount, saying:
That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. – Matthew 5:45
Considering they were an agricultural society, that statement not only talked about God allowing good to happen to both evil and good people, but also God allowing the evil people to gain wealth. Without proper amounts of sun and rain, their harvest would be minimalized or destroyed. But because God was faithful, providing sunlight and rain to both the good people in the world and the bad ones, they would all have food to eat, as well as the opportunity to gain wealth.
Please note that the law of sowing and reaping, as stated in the Bible, is more concerned with our eternal destination, than it is with temporal punishment. Everything that God does in our lives is done first for the purpose of bringing us to salvation, through Jesus Christ. Once we are saved, His focus in our lives turns to sanctification, working to change us and make us more like Christ. This requires our cooperation, as He will never force us to do something or be someone that we don’t want. As we cooperate, He is able to work in our hearts, developing the fruit of the Spirit within us.
We should never take joy in the suffering that people receive, whether that is brought about by their actions or just life. Rather, we should use that suffering as an opportunity to minister the gospel to them, being there to support them and tell them how much God loves them, having sent His Son to die on the cross for them. Ultimately, God is concerned about their salvation and we should be too.
There is No Reincarnation
The root teaching that karma comes from, that of reincarnation, stands in stark contrast to the teachings of the Bible. Reincarnation is all about perfecting ourselves, through living multiple lives. The message of the Gospel is that we are unable to perfect ourselves and need a Savior. It is only through receiving the redemptive work of Christ on the cross, that we are perfected, not that we become perfect, but that we receive His righteousness, in exchange for our sin.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. – Romans 3:23
We don’t get multiple lives to get it right and even if we did, we still wouldn’t succeed.
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. – Hebrews 9:27
Our judgment is secure, once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In doing that, He takes our sin upon Himself, where he left it on the cross, some 2,000 years ago. In exchange, we receive His righteousness, so that we can stand in the presence of God. So, it is not karma that makes us perfect, but the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross and our acceptance of that redemptive work.