I was scrolling through my facebook feed when I stumbled upon this photograph.

It is simple enough, but it struck a chord with me.

I hear it said often enough that people wish karma onto other people. Like, “Just wait, karma will come around and get you.” Like, I will sit here and hold a grudge about it because I can’t do anything, but at least I have “peace” knowing that you will get what you deserve. What kind of life to live is that? What peace of contentment comes from that? It makes me sad to think that some people actually think like that. Not to say that I’ve never held a grudge, but to wish harm upon someone? That is unthinkable.

This morning, before I went about my day, the idea of karma and Christ went through my mind. The thought that Jesus took what we deserve humbles me. It brings joyful tears to my eyes. How can I – a breath, dew on grass, dust– be considered worthy of being saved? I am a wretched, sinful, broken human. Yet God saved me. That thought humbles and comforts me. As I thought about that this morning, I thought about how most people really think that what comes around goes around. That if you do one bad thing, it will eventually come around to bite you. Or if someone wrongs you, this karma will make them pay for it. A world of anger when the land is thirsting for forgiveness.

This world needs more Christ and forgiveness and less karma and hate. Christ did not come because we had worked hard or done enough good in our lives. He came because we were hopeless without him, destined to live a hateful lie like the rest of the world. That it is just up to you and hope that karma doesn’t get you. A survival of the fittest mentality, a bite back society. But this is not how Christ intended us to think or live. This is not why He died for us. He came because He loved us, not for the good we had done, but to save us from the wrong we have. If we had gotten what we deserved, we would be living in death with no hope for tomorrow. But instead we have this promise.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will someone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

~ Romans 5:6-8 ~

We did not get what we deserved, Christ took that upon Himself.

Remember that we are not meant to live with the thought of getting back at someone, but forgiveness. We did not deserve Christ’s forgiveness more than anyone else, yet He still died for all. A better way to live is to forgive and say, “Because Christ has forgiven me, I pray that the person who wronged me may also find the peace that I have.” We did not get what we deserved, Christ bore that for us. It is time that we show that light of love to others and not the darkness of hate.

~Rose

Note: I do not claim ownership of this photograph.  I saw it on Lecrae’s facebook page.