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Karma is a popular concept these days. Basically, it means that everyone gets what they deserve. But the Bible teaches grace, not karma.

A lot of people talk about “karma” these days. It basically means we all get what we deserve. And sometimes it seems like that! But for Christians, we have to know that there’s a big difference between the God of the Bible and karma. Karma is an idea that comes from eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism.

[Related: Is Karma a Thing?]

Karma Is the Idea That We Get What We Deserve

Karma is the idea that we get what we deserve. If you’re a good person, good things will happen. If you’re a bad person, bad things will happen.

The Bible Teaches Grace

The Bible teaches that God saved us by grace – which means he showed us kindness we didn’t deserve because none of us are good enough (Romans 3:10-12). God doesn’t use fear (1 John 4:18). God wants to set us free to live grace-filled lives in him.

Jesus Died Because We Can’t Earn Salvation

God has put it all away and we can’t earn our own salvation. Jesus took the punishment for our sins because we could never do it ourselves. If God was a God of karma, we would have to pay for our own sins. But he’s not a God of karma, but a God of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

[Related: Does Grace Mean I Can Do What I Want?]

The truth is, there’s no guarantee that things will always only go well or only go bad if we behave or misbehave. Jesus said that it “rains on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). This means that sometimes bad things do happen to good people, and sometimes bad people don’t get struck by lightning like we wish they would.

[Related: Will God Really Give Me a Good Life? (Students)]

No matter what, we know that God loves all of us and calls us to live grace-filled lives in him. If things are hard or things are easy, God loves us and has the best in mind for us (Romans 8:28).

Article for this topic by Daniel Martin.
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Key Points:

  • Karma is the idea that we get what we deserve.
  • The Bible teaches grace.
  • Jesus died because we can’t earn salvation.

Quote This:

Matthew 5:45  In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

See Also: Grace, New Believers, Worldview, World Religions

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Have you ever talked about or heard people talking about karma? What happened?
  3. Why do you think karma is such a popular idea these days?
  4. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Why is it true that God is a God of grace, not a God of karma? How have you seen God to be a God of grace in your own life?
  5. Read Matthew 5:45. What does it mean that “it rains on the just and the unjust?” How have you seen this to be true?
  6. Read Romans 8:28. What does it mean that God will work everything together for our good? How have you seen this to be true?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
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