Christian Karma

     I was listening to a podcast with Tullian Tchividjian, and he mentioned that as Christians, we have a "Christian Karma" view.
     What that basically means is that we believe that if we do "good" we will get "good" in return; and if we do "bad" we will get "bad" in return. This line of thinking is actually informed by some Bible verses. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (Gal 6:7 NIV) And, I don't have the time to go into the Deuteronimistic view of retribution.
     So, I have been thinking on this lately. And, this week, one of the guys in our church was diagnosed with a very severe type of cancer at the age of 47. Unless God intervenes, he doesn't have a lot of time left on earth.
     Here is the funny thing. The doctor said that he probably has cancer now because of a disease he picked up while on a MISSIONS TRIP. Let's see if I get this right. A man devotes his time, caring and love to help reach people with the Gospel, and winds up facing death way too young. Is that fair? Is that right? Is that Karma?
     We don't think enough about the whole message of the Scriptures. Of course, I could remind you of Job, who did right and suffered horribly. In fact, the reason his friends were condemned is that they were demanding that Job must have done something to "deserve" his pain.
     But, we forget the clear teaching of 1 Peter 3:17 "For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." Even a casual reading of this verse makes clear that sometimes, God's will is for people to suffer when they do good. That is the opposite of Karma.
     One final thought. Jesus never sinned, but he suffered for the whole of humanity. I am glad he bore my "Karma" so I can have His freedom.