What about karma?

---

By Ian Gustafson, 19, Michigan USA

What do you think about the idea of karma? Well, most Christians will dismiss it as not biblical. However it would seem that many people, non-Christians and Christians alike, live with the concept of being rewarded or punished based on one’s deeds—and preferably in this life.

So let’s think about it. Who are some of the godly people in history? Did they receive good things in this life? The Apostle Paul would be a popular answer. Well, he was beheaded. Simon Peter might rank highly too; yet he was crucified upside down. Alright, how about apostle John who was also known as the beloved disciple? According to an early Christian author Tertullian, John was boiled alive (but miraculously survived) and then exiled. Therefore, it would seem that good people aren’t necessarily rewarded.

Undoubtedly, it’s natural for us to want to believe that good people will be rewarded and bad people will be punished—right here in this life. The reason is because the human mind is incapable of comprehending eternity. Hence the idea of karma is something we use to comfort ourselves that our lives in this world will be better some day. But the Bible tells a different story. It portrays the Earth as perfect at the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:31) but is now corrupted beyond repair. It calls the devil “the prince of this world” (John 14:30). It shows that wicked people do rise to power (Psalm 73:12) and that God’s followers are persecuted (Hebrews 11:36-38).

Consequently the initial human reaction to this grim reality is to want to abandon godly ways. But the truth is: if you do what pleases God, the world will hate you; but if you do wrong, you destroy yourself. Sins aren’t just a list of “don’ts”. They are forbidden because they are harmful to us. Committing them prevents us from experiencing the perfect lives that God has planned for us. As 1 John 3:6 puts it, “Anyone who continues to live in Him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know Him or understand who He is.”

So, how are we to look at the injustice and unfairness in the world? Well, there’s nothing wrong with being dissatisfied with the fact that good people do suffer and bad people seem to prosper. In fact, that was how Asaph, David’s chief musician, felt. He was wondering if his pursuit of living for God had been utterly worthless (Psalm 73:13-14). Self-centered, irreverent people were “enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply” (v.12). They mocked God and seemed to be getting away with it. Asaph wondered if he was a freak for keeping his heart pure. Was it worthwhile?

But as he went into the sanctuary of God, he found new perspective and understanding (v.16). Asaph was reminded that the wicked and their ways would come to an end. He sensed anew his need for a change of heart before God (v.21). And he understood that nothing in heaven or on earth was better than being near the Sovereign Lord (vv.23,28).

The irony of looking for hope in a bad situation is that we’re overlooking the fact that the Bible shows repeatedly how God gave hope in a bad situation.

For example, when Joseph was sold into slavery into Egypt, God used that bad situation and caused it to work for good. Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20). Similarly when sin entered into the world at the Garden of Eden, God offered hope. We read in Romans 5:6, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”

Since we have a good God who is in control even in the worst experiences, we don’t need to find solace in karma. We can continue to live righteously regardless of whether we are rewarded in this life or not.