Acts 18:12-17

Christians do not believe in Karma.  We do not believe that what goes around always comes around.  We do not believe fate determines our futures.  However, it is easy to understand why the world does believe in these things, and even why they want to believe.

The world has many false beliefs.  Some of those beliefs arise from the limitations of earthly wisdom.  Earthly wisdom is unable to factor in the nature and activities of God.  Its understanding is limited to what it sees and experiences.  Some false beliefs arise from our wishful thinking.  When we see injustice and evil in the world, we want there to be consequences to the evil doers.

When the Jews at Corinth united for an attack against Paul, they brought him before the judge.  When they appeared before the judge, Paul did not even get to speak.  However, if he could have spoken, he would not have attacked his attackers; he would have presented and defended the hope of the gospel.  He had done it before.

The Jews hoped to have Paul placed in prison or beaten, as had happened several times before.  This time they failed.  The judge was not impressed or intimidated by them, so he drove them off.  It was at this point that the crowd, many of whom were anti Semite, turned upon the Jews and beat their leader in front of the judge.

Some would see this as evidence of what went around, coming back around.  The violent hatred of the anti-Semites punished the hatred and violence of the Jewish opposition.

God’s kingdom is not one of hatred, violence and revenge.  Jesus wants us to love our enemies.  Taking pleasure in the misfortune of our enemies is not godly nature; it is sinful nature.  Christians do not want Karma to be true. Karma would give us what we deserve, and that leaves us hopeless.  God’s love is greater than Karma; He gives us what we need.  Because God loves and forgives, we can do the same.