The Law of Karma

Karma in the Gospels

It is a fact that the Law of Karma is of Eastern origin and a well-known aspect of Hinduism and Buddhism. However, it is not common knowledge that it is also an integral part of the Gospel, which may be illustrated by the following examples:

In the Gospel there are a great many scriptural passages where Christ teaches us the Law of Karma.

Christ says for example "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets ..." (Math. 7, 12). He also says "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you ..." (Luke 6, 37). ".. for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Math. 26,52). These passages among many others show that Christ of course knew that the Law of Cause and Effect was lawfulness by which we all have to obey.

The Gospel is imbued with this principle of consequences ensuring that we all meet the effects of our actions and that there is a cause behind every effect.

As we have seen in the above and according to the Ageless Wisdom, it is God's will that all men must reach perfection by expressing their will in action, also called love. We are the co-workers of God on the physical plane. Therefore, he will say through Christ: "You must be perfect - just as your Father in heaven is perfect!" (Math. 5,43).

We can also look at the Law of Karma by using an image. God's will is love, and this love can be compared with a wind blowing over a landscape. A group of travellers walking against the wind may curse it for the dust stirred up and blinding them. However, another group of travellers walking with the wind may bless it for its support and for leading them towards their goal.

The image shows us that we have got a free will to harm ourselves or to harm others if we so want. But if we do so, we shall travel against the wind and encounter a lot of suffering. We can also turn around and do good things. Thus we shall meet the positive consequences of this action.