Karma, or God?

12/20   Josua  (see HERE)

Would you rather have the justice of an impersonal and automatic judge, otherwise known as “karma”, or the mercy of a heavenly Father?

I was talking with a young man named Josua about his beliefs in reincarnation and “karma”, when it occurred to me that karma really isn’t the logical concept many people think it is.  Many are attracted to the idea because it is seen as an equitable and universal system of justice, but reality contradicts that theory.  We all know good people who can’t seem to get a break in life, and bad people who seem to get away with murder.  Even if the wheels of karma justice eventually catch up to everyone, its timing is very inconsistent and arbitrary, and justice delayed is really justice denied.

Not so with the justice of God.  Although we all deserve “instant karma” for our many offenses against His holiness, God instead chooses to give us mercy.  We get the blessing of life we don’t deserve, instead of the curse of death we do deserve.  And the Bible tells us He does this for a reason: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God is not arbitrarily slowing down the wheels of justice – He does so in order to show mercy, that we might have time to repent and turn to Him.  That’s not something karma can decide to do, for by definition karma doesn’t think for itself or feel love or compassion.  Only a kind and gracious heavenly Father can show the kind of mercy required to draw us into a right relationship with Himself, and to help us grow and mature in character once He does.

God’s wisdom also knows the limits of mercy; that it need not continue indefinitely.  Not everyone will come to repentance, and the passage goes on to say He will keep His promise of judgment: - “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

Karma, or God?  Only One is able to give us the mercy we need, rather than the justice we deserve.

  

Thanks, Josue, for allowing me to record our conversation!  It can be seen on my YouTube channel.      https://youtu.be/CGTHrvKN7HY