forgetrealityanddream asked: What is the Christian view on the concept of karma because I've heard many different things.

Karma is actually an umbrella term. There are different types, but generally boil down to your actions, good or bad, return to you and determine your state. It also determines things in regards to your rebirth or reincarnation or nirvana.

Some may try to interpret Galatians 6 to include this. “Whatever a man sows he shall reap” is taken out of context. Galatians 6 begins with Paul instructing the Church to restore their brothers and sisters who have been overtaken by sin in love and gentleness and to bear the load of one another and in so fulfill the law of Christ (which is to love one another). Galatians 6:3 (NLT) “If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.” Vs 4 says to not compare yourself to others. Next Paul talks about being a blessing to the teachers and flows into reaping and sowing - Spirit vs flesh / Decay vs everlasting life.

Here’s how this is different from karma: this is not a means of salvation such as nirvana etc. Salvation is by Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross and by none other. Later in Galatians 6 Paul addresses circumcision (which we can classify today as a self-righteousness through outer appearance and deed) and concludes the section saying, “It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.” The good works are a result of becoming a new creation that walks in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:10 says God has created us anew in Jesus Christ so we can do the good works he has planned for us long ago. Works are not obligation, but  a privilege and blessing.

Apart from Jesus and his work no man can be saved. New life comes only by the indwelling and power of the Spirit which we have the choice to walk in or not walk in.

-Tyler