What Goes Around, Comes Around

Wikipedia defines karma as an “action, work or deed; it also refers to the principle of causality where intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual. Good intent and good deed contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deed contribute to bad karma and future suffering.” The Bible says: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Galatians 6:7. NIV). Proverbs 26:27 also says, “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.” (ESV). So why do we do the things we do?

I believe we are living in a “dog eat dog” society. Many people believe that causing someone else’s demise will be their gain. I’ve seen so many institutions, including churches, profit from someone’s plight. But is this the true way in which we should live?

A dear, close friend of mine described his experience with karma in his lifetime. He said that when he was a young boy, he hung with a crowd that would steal cars. They would steal the cars and strip them of their parts in order to put them on their vehicles. They would also sell the parts to someone who had an identical vehicle of the one they stole. Once he gave his life to Christ and realized that this was not honorable behavior, he stopped doing these things and began to lead a legal life. Years later, on the path of doing what was right, people began to steal his cars. He said that he lost at least 3-4 vehicles. It was then that he realized that this was a result of the things he had done in his past. He says that, “it came back at me in such a way I knew God was showing me what I did wrong”. He repented and took responsibility for the things he brought unto himself.

          The parable of the unforgiving servant is also an excellent example of "what goes around comes around". Matthew 18:21-35 reads:

Then Peter came up and asked him, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? Seven times?”

Jesus told him, “I tell you, not just seven times, but 77 times! “That is why the kingdom from heaven may be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he had begun to settle the accounts, a person who owed him 10,000 talents was brought to him. Because he couldn’t pay, his master ordered him, his wife, his children, and everything that he owned to be sold so that payment could be made. Then the servant fell down and bowed low before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything!’ The master of that servant had compassion and released him, canceling his debt.

But when that servant went away, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him, seized him by the throat, and said, ‘Pay what you owe!’ Then his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me and I will repay you!’ But he refused and had him thrown into prison until he could repay the debt.

When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very disturbed and went and reported to their master everything that had occurred. Then his master sent for him and told him, ‘You evil servant! I canceled that entire debt for you because you begged me. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers until he could repay the entire debt. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each one of you unless you forgive your brother from your hearts.” (ISV).

We desire forgiveness, but refuse to forgive. We desire mercy, but give no mercy. We desire for people to help us in our time of need, but refuse to give to others. How does one expect what they are not willing to give out?

We have to be ever-so mindful about what we do to others. Especially because most of us do not want to experience the same pain we inflict. If we plant corn seeds, we expect to reap corn. Planting seeds of hatred will only allow us to harvest hate. Planting seeds of love will only allow us to harvest love.

There are reasons why I am able to forgive the woman who abused my son - 1. I stand in need of forgiveness. 2. She will reap what she has sown. I have been told that during her stay in the county jail, she was assaulted on several occasions. I know this to be true because when I saw her in court, she had a very large gash that had healed on the side of her face that wasn’t present before she was arrested. And because it has been found that there may be many other children that suffered her abuse, including one that possibly died in her care (which continues to devastate my heart). If this is the case, I believe her punishment will continue until death.

(There are times that unimaginable things come into our lives'. But if you know you haven't sown the seeds of these events, know that it is a test. Our faith is strengthened in times of weakness. Sowing your unwavering faith will allow you to reap the harvest of God's faithfulness to you.)

Ultimately, if we walk in love, we will receive love. We always want to have faith that God is going to bring us the best. In order to receive His best, let’s give Him our best. We shall reap what we sow.

Peace.