A long time ago, maybe back when I was a teen, I noticed scriptures that seem to teach karma. I was fascinated with how there was a correlation between Christianity and Hinduism. I love the idea that every culture and tradition around the world has some truth.
A few years ago, I assigned my students an expository essay on any topic they wanted. I had a student who wrote an essay on how ridiculous the idea of karma is. It’s hard for me as a teacher to give commentary on their writing without showing my personal reaction to their topic—and in this particular situation, I confess I made some personal comments in an attitude of thoughtful debate. I showed him some scriptures that teach karma. (However, I didn’t hear back from him and I’m afraid I offended him!😢)
But since then, it’s been a thing for me to build a collection and take note whenever I see a verse that teaches karma:
Galatians 6:7-8
“A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
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Matthew 7:2
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
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Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
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2 Thess 1:6
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you”
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John 5:14
“Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you.”
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Proverbs 21:13
“Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.”
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Proverbs 14:14
“The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.”
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Ephesians 6:8
“because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.”
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Proverbs 11:18
“A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.”
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Job 4:8
“As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.”
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Hosea 8:7
“They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.”
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Obadiah 1:15
“As you have done, it will be done to you;
your deeds will return upon your own head.”
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Proverbs 22:8
“Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.”
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Psalms 112:5
“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
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Psalm 28:4
“Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.”
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Matthew 25:45-46 (the end of the parable of sheep and goats; read v.31-46 for context)
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
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The distinction, though, is that although karma is a true principle, JESUS INTERCEPTS KARMA! He takes the punishment for us. We are by default judged by our works, but if we accept Christ then we will be judged by HIS righteous works, as he was judged (and found guilty, and punished) for OUR sinful works!
Because of forgiveness and grace, we do NOT have to be bound by karma.
Read this and think about “the law of sin and death” as a law of karma:
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
(Romans 8:1-2)
All I Possess 