Dr. Carmen Harra, a Romanian-born clinical psychologist, intuitive counselor and writer once remarked: “In America, karma is best expressed in popular phrases like what goes around, comes around and what you sow, you will reap. Karma has also been referred to as having a boomerang effect where the thoughts and actions that you send out into the world turn around and come back at you... Jesus says, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Karma goes a step further and dictates that What you do unto others will come back to you. I think Jesus and the Hindus really had the same idea. Think about that the next time you want to say or do something nasty to someone else!” Galatians 6:7-9 confirms: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Karma is considered as a concept of action, work or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect. Although Karma is entirely separate from Christianity, it does contain similarities to certain religious themes. However, the main principles of Karma differ greatly from Christianity in so much that a person’s destiny after death is dependent on their actions in life, whereas in Christianity, it is our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us. It is only with God’s grace that we can be redeemed and enter the kingdom of heaven. Galatians 2:20 reminds us: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
A Boomerang is defined as a curved stick, that when thrown in a particular way, comes back to the person who threw it. Its origin stems from the Aboriginals of Australia who primarily used them for hunting and warfare. Boomerangs are often considered as works of art, with painted or carved designs added that reflect legends and traditions. However, they may simulate the distinct philosophy that “What goes around, comes around.”
Luke 6:38 confirms: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Everyone in life is individualistic. How they live life and the fruitfulness created is of paramount importance. However, each are considered accountable for their own actions. If one is of positive thought and mindfulness and consistently helps others, then they may be rewarded for their efforts. Likewise, if they are of the opposite characteristic and adopt a couldn’t-care-less approach, then they should expect the same in return. Some choices may be difficult to make. They may be deemed bad or good. If one adopts the right one, they can be pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 confirms: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Luke 10:25-37 reminds us: “And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Unfortunately, some religions, such as Judaism, reject the concept that Jesus Christ was in fact God, a person of the Trinity or a mediator to God. This misconception may lead to difficulties in later life. It could create an adverse boomerang effect. Florence Scovel Shinn, an American writer once remarked: “The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later with astounding accuracy.” The Bible informs us that our only access to God is through his Son. John 14:6 confirms: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Whatever our individual beliefs are, they should not preclude helping others in need. This is a fundamental principle to a good life. These are the desires of God. Sufferers may be the victim of assault or robbery, they may be the victims of adversity, they may be the victim of despair, but each is a child of God and has a right to seek help. James 2:14-17 reminds us: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
A good life does not have sufficient room for malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy or slander. These could be considered the works of the devil. We need to remember that if we sow sinful ways, then we can expect consequences. 1 Peter 2:1-5 reminds us: “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Amen.
