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Is Karma a Biblical Concept?

Karma is a concept found in many eastern religions that essentially says, “What goes around, comes around.” It is a sort of universal law of cause and effect.

There is a seemingly karma-like verse in the Bible, which appears to paraphrase this idea. It says, “You reap what you sow.”

However, in looking at the text preceding it, we see that the premise behind this concept is not a universal law, but rather a just God who will not let the unjust forever get off scot-free or the righteous not eventually be rewarded.

In the Amplified version expands on this nicely, allowing the fuller impact of the original language to be felt:

“Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.]

“For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.”

[Galatians 6:7]

So what at first glance appeared to be a restatement of karma is really the reflection of the character of a God who is fair and just.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Galatians 4-6 and today’s post is on Galatians 6:7.]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

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