“Karma is just another way of saying
what Jesus said, ‘You reap what you sow”
No
This comparison is loosely made by people who don’t realize that the term karma is a package deal that comes directly from Hinduism requiring one to pay for one’s own sins—in another life! In their way of thinking, it seems that you can never really know what it is you did in that other life. I’ve observed this lack of information resulting in judgmental speculation from supposed friends, when people are going through hard times; they shake their heads and say, “Must be bad karma somewhere.” Punishment for such wrong-doing seems to go on forever and results in being reincarnated as, perhaps, a rat.
Karma: Hinduism,
Buddhism. action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or
bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation: in Hinduism one of the means of
reaching Brahman (member of the priestly class).
Since
Christians in no way believe in reincarnation it’s never appropriate for a
Christian to refer to anything in their life as karma. This is good news! Anyone who follows Jesus as his disciple has
his or her sins paid for by Jesus' death and resurrection! You don’t have to keep paying for your sins
if you follow Jesus—he paid for them already!
Do
not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. 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. Let us not become
weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not
give up. Galatians 6:7-9
This
scripture refers to the difference between following Jesus and following one’s
own way—not an endless recycling of human life into animal life.
Just
as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so
Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a
second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for
him. Hebrews 9:27,28