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Is Karma in the Bible?
“In recent years, the Eastern concept of karma has become popular in Western culture. Can the idea of karma be harmonized with the Bible? Is karma biblical?”
“Cause and effect is not karma
However, the Bible does teach the principle of cause and effect, which some incorrectly confuse with karma. There are two basic kinds of cause and effect:
1. Cause and effect by God’s blessings or punishment. The Bible is clear that God has the power to bless and punish. God told Israel He’d bless them if they obeyed and curse them if they rebelled (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). He exercised that authority with ancient Israel and will punish the nations in the end time for their wickedness and refusal to repent (Revelation 16:8-9).
God also promises to bless those who seek and obey Him (Psalm 1:1-2; Proverbs 10:6; James 1:25). But those blessings aren’t always immediately visible. Many seemingly innocent people have suffered hard lives throughout history (John 16:33; Hebrews 11; James 1:2-3). But the Bible promises that ultimately “all things work together for good” for God’s faithful people (Romans 8:28).
The Bible also shows that God is extremely merciful and is not constantly doling out physical punishment based on what we deserve (Matthew 5:45; Hebrews 2:1-4). In fact, considering the state of our world’s morality, we should be immensely thankful God doesn’t operate through karma.
2. Cause and effect through natural consequences. Both the Bible and common sense show that cause and effect operate naturally in our lives. The Bible expresses it this way: “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). In simple terms, decisions and actions often have natural consequences.
No amount of good deeds can offset our sins and save us from the death penalty. Forgiveness of sin can only occur through repentance and the blood of Jesus Christ.
Much of the book of Proverbs is about cause and effect. For example, the natural consequence of being lazy is poverty, while diligence and hard work lead to financial stability (Proverbs 6:9-11; 10:4; 13:4; 20:13; 24:30-34).
These natural consequences aren’t determined by mysterious karmic energies, but by simple cause and effect. Practicing biblical principles positions a person for success because God’s ways work. However, in a world guided by Satan and human nature, sometimes the righteous suffer because of the sins of others (John 16:33; Romans 8:18; 1 Peter 3:17).
The Bible also shows that in this life sometimes the wicked do prosper for a time (Psalm 73:3; Jeremiah 12:1-3).
Though the Bible clearly teaches the principle of cause and effect, it is not a biblical equivalent to karma.
Why is the idea of karma dangerous?
Karma is clearly a man-made belief foreign to the Bible. Consider three reasons the idea of karma is spiritually dangerous and deceptive:
1. Karma replaces the all-powerful God with the universe. The power behind karma is usually described as the universe. Chopra.com describes it this way: “The Universe will bring back whatever acts you committed or feeling you caused in another person.” This worldview credits the physical creation as the ultimate arbiter of morality and reward and punishment.
But the Bible shows God created the universe (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5). God, not the universe or energy, is the “rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus Christ, not the universe or karma, will ultimately “judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31).
Karma is another way mankind has deceptively credited the creation with power that belongs only to God (Romans 1:25).
2. Karma contradicts biblical repentance. Many believe that “bad karma” can be erased only by outweighing it with “good karma.” This idea contradicts the biblical teaching on sin.
The Bible teaches that the ultimate penalty of sin is death—not physical curses (Romans 6:23). No amount of good deeds can offset our sins and save us from the death penalty. Forgiveness of sin can only occur through repentance and the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:7). A Christian must absolutely strive to obey God, but not as an attempt to outweigh the bad on the scales of karma.
Some sins do have ongoing physical consequences, but thankfully, after God forgives us, we no longer have to worry about the ultimate consequences of our sins.
3. Karma distorts the proper motivation for doing good. Karma is just one of many man-made attempts to encourage people to live morally. It plays on human nature by incentivizing doing good to avoid bad things coming back upon us later.
At its core, the concept of karma is driven by selfishness.
The Bible, on the other hand, teaches that morality is defined by God and should be driven by selflessness. Jesus taught that our ultimate motivation should be love—for God first and then for other human beings (Matthew 22:36-39). Paul described the proper motivation for everything we do this way: “The purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).
Christians shouldn’t do good to avoid bad things coming on them. Christians should do good out of genuine love because it’s the right thing to do—regardless of the consequences.
So, is karma in the Bible? No. Karma is unbiblical and contradicts God’s Word in multiple ways.” This is the last part of article at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/change/the-church/world-religions/karma-in-bible/?
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Why Would You Observe the Feast of Tabernacles?
This year, Sukkot starts on the evening of Friday, 29 Sept and ends on Friday, 6 Oct 2023.
“The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) represents the peace, prosperity and righteousness of the coming Kingdom of God, but how is it relevant to the Christians today?”
Transcript of video at: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/why-would-you-observe-the-feast-of-tabernacles
[Steve Myers] Someone asked me the other day, "Why would you observe the Feast of Tabernacles? Is that a Christian thing?" Absolutely, it is. We follow the example of the New Testament Church. The church in the 1st Century kept and observed, celebrated, the Feast of Tabernacles. So, what is this feast? Well, it's definitely listed in Scripture as one of the feasts of the Lord. (Lev. 23:1-44) I don't know if you've ever checked that out, but it's the feast that God has established. It's one of His Holy Days. And so, for a period of time, we celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days. A complete festival.
Seven is often a number of completeness because it represents that time, in God's plan, that has a deep spiritual meaning. Jesus Christ will return to this earth, 1 Thessalonians 4 spells that out completely, 1 Corinthians 15 as well. And so, the Feast of Tabernacles is representing that time when Christ will return as King of kings and Lord of lords. I know you've probably heard those classic choral selections that sing about that. He's King of kings and Lord of lords and He is returning. Well, the Feast of Tabernacles points to that time that Christ will literally come back to earth.
We can read about that in Revelation 5. Revelation 5, in fact, beginning in verse 10, it tells us, "He has made us kings and priests to our God, and we shall reign on earth." Christ will return and annihilate the kingdoms of man. Mankind will no longer be in charge. There will no longer be chaos and confusion in this world. Jesus Christ will establish righteous godly government. And for a thousand years, He will reign on this earth.
Perhaps you've even prayed about this symbolic meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles. You know, that model prayer, sometimes call the Lord's Prayer that Christ taught the disciples to pray. Perhaps you've said that prayer or parts of that prayer. It has that part that says, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done." Christ will come back and establish His kingdom. It will come. And, of course, the rest of that prayer says, "On earth as it is in heaven." So the Feast of Tabernacles pictures that amazing time of peace and prosperity and righteous government that Christ Himself will come and establish right on this earth.
Check out The Feast of Tabernacles, find out the deep spiritual meaning behind God's purpose and His plan, and this vital step in His plan for salvation for all mankind.” From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/why-would-you-observe-the-feast-of-tabernacles
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An Attitude of Gratitude: Sukkot for Christians
“In a festival similar to Thanksgiving, the Biblical feast of Sukkot (pronounced sue-COAT) gives us a chance to focus on our blessings from God and His desire to be with His people. Also called the Feast of Booths, Tabernacles, or Ingathering, it’s one of the seven commanded feasts in Leviticus 23.” More at: https://hebrewrootsmom.com/an-attitude-of-gratitude-sukkot-for-christians/
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Bacon & Botulism
Transcript of video at: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/bacon-and-botulism/
“The nitrite preservatives in processed meats such as bologna, bacon, ham, and hot dogs form carcinogenic nitrosamines, but also reduce the growth of botulism bacteria—forcing regulators to strike a balance between consumers risking cancer, or a deadly form of food poisoning.
There are literally hundreds of studies on the link between cancer and cured meats like bologna, bacon, ham, and hot dogs. But just for a taste, just over the last year or so, processed meat consumption was significantly associated with bladder cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and then all the way down the digestive tract: throat cancer, esophageal cancer, more esophageal cancer, more esophageal cancer and stomach cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer. And then, for a ten-for-one deal, processed meat was significantly related to the risk of stomach, colon, rectal, pancreatic, lung, prostate, testicular, kidney, more bladder cancer—and leukemia, as well. That’s why the official recommendation is to try to “avoid processed meats” entirely.
With concern over the potential danger of nitrosamines growing, consumer groups, such as the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a wonderful group, petitioned the USDA as far back as 1972 to ban, or at least greatly reduce, the nitrite in cured meats. The USDA denied the petition, citing nitrite’s role in the prevention of botulism bacteria that can grow inside vacuum-packed meats. They had to weigh the risk of cancer with the risk of consumers getting a deadly food poisoning bacteria from lunchmeat.
You know, in 2011, the National Pork Board officially changed their quarter-century old slogan from “Pork: the other white meat” to “Pork: Be Inspired.” Maybe for bacon, they should have considered the tagline: “Cancer or Botulism, take your pick.” From: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/bacon-and-botulism/
To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by MaryAnn Allison.
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