On the Law of Karma

“For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God…”

— 1 Peter 3:18

There are religions, like Hinduism, whose followers talk about “karma.” The Hindus believe that salvation is wrought through karma; that all one has to do is reflect up to the gods, and the gods reflect it back to us and we get what we deserve—tit for tat, quid pro quo, something for something.

But that does not wash since every one of us is a sinner. If everything we have ever said, thought, or done that is wrong reflected up to God, it would come down upon us like a safe falling out of a window of a tall building.

Thank God, however, He takes all of that ill thinking and all of those unkind words to Himself, and all of our sin upon Himself. He goes to a Cross and there He dies in our place. He shines back upon us the soft beam of His love. It is no reflection of what we have done; it is a reflection of what He is, of His smiling face, of His willingness to accept us—not because of our success, but because He has given His Son to die for us.

If we will trust in Jesus Christ, He will receive us just as we are—with all of our moles and warts and imperfections, all of our sins and transgressions—by His grace. God operates, not by karma, but by grace, and offers through no merit of our own to receive us to Himself, just as we are, by His grace, if we will trust in Jesus Christ.

Gracious God, we thank You for not reflecting back to us our unkind words and ugly thoughts. Thank You, instead, for reflecting back to us Your pure love. Lord, give me strength for today to forgive others since You have so generously forgiven me…

IN GOD’S STRENGTH, WE
REFLECT BACK HIS LOVE.