Don't Karma My Jesus

Text: Galatians 6:1–18 Anchor Phrase: Don’t let self-rule lead to self-ruin when godly submission leads to godly blessing. Big Idea: The world says, “You get what you deserve.” The gospel says, “Jesus got what you deserved.” Grace doesn’t erase sowing and reaping—it redeems it. So don’t “karma” my Jesus—because the cross broke the cycle of self-made religion and gave us Spirit-made transformation.

INTRODUCTION — Karma vs. the Cross (6:7–8)

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

Cultural Hook

We hear it all the time: “Karma will get them.” It’s the world’s way of saying that justice comes through cause and effect. But Paul wasn’t teaching karma—he was teaching consequence under grace. Karma says, “You earn what you deserve.” The cross says, “Jesus received what you deserved so you could receive what He earned.”

Transition

Paul closes Galatians with a warning and a promise: every seed you plant grows something—flesh leads to ruin, Spirit leads to life. So tonight’s message is simple: Don’t Karma My Jesus — Don’t let self-rule lead to self-ruin when godly submission leads to godly blessing.

POINT 1 — RESTORE GENTLY: Grace in Action (6:1–5)

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”

[FSB Context]

Paul’s command follows chapter 5’s call to walk by the Spirit. The FSB observes: “Those led by the Spirit express His fruit not only inwardly but relationally—by restoring others with gentleness.”

[Hamrick Parallel]

Hamrick emphasized that the Christian life has two natures—spirit and flesh—and what we feed will grow. In restoration, the Spirit must lead, or we’ll correct people in the flesh and create more damage.

Breakdown:

v.1 – The Call to Restoration:

Galatians 6:1 NIV

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

The word “restore” (καταρτίζω) means to mend a net or reset a broken bone. The JFB notes that this word “implies not punishment, but patient repair.” Restoration isn’t retribution—it’s rehabilitation.

Grace mends what pride breaks.

“Gentleness” (πραΰτης) is Spirit-born humility, not personality softness.

Application: Be a trauma center, not a courtroom.

v.2 – The Law of Christ:

Galatians 6:2 NIV

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

“Bear one another’s burdens” fulfills the law of Christ—love.

Legalism crushes; love carries.

vv.3–5 – Humility in Accountability:

Galatians 6:3–5 NIV

If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.

“If anyone thinks he is something…”—self-rule always precedes self-ruin.

Each believer bears their own “load” (φορτίον)—personal stewardship, not comparison.

Point: Restorers can’t lift burdens if their hands are full of pride.

Transitional Sentence: Grace restores what self-rule ruins. But the next question Paul asks is: What kind of seed are you planting?

POINT 2 — SOW SPIRITUALLY: Seeds Become Systems (6:6–10)

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked… whoever sows to please the flesh will reap corruption, but whoever sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

[Hamrick Core Teaching]

Hamrick highlighted that “whatever nature you feed—that’s the one that grows.” Every thought, click, and conversation is a seed. The harvest may not come immediately—but it will come inevitably.

[JFB Commentary]

JFB notes that “God is not mocked” means He is not outwitted—grace is not gullible. Every hidden motive, every quiet compromise, grows fruit in time.

[FSB Note]

The FSB clarifies “corruption” (φθορά) as “moral decay leading to destruction.” The opposite, “eternal life,” (ζωὴ αἰώνιος) is “not merely duration but divine quality—life in the Spirit’s realm.”

A. You Reap What You Sow (v.7–8)

Galatians 6:7–8 NIV

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Principle 1: What you reap is greater than what you sow.A small seed can create a lifetime harvest.(Hamrick used Hosea 8:7: “They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.”)

Principle 2: You reap later than you sow.Planting is fast; harvest takes time.(Hamrick’s cherry tree story drives this home—fruit comes in due season.)

Principle 3: You reap like what you sow.Flesh seeds = self-rule → self-ruin.Spirit seeds = godly submission → godly blessing.

B. You Reap When You Persevere (v.9–10)

Galatians 6:9–10 NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Greek: “Due season” = kairos idios (God’s appointed time).

Your harvest has a divine timestamp.

Application: When obedience feels unnoticed, remember—the soil is working even when you can’t see the sprout.

“Do good to all”—especially the church. Your field starts at home.

Illustration: Planting righteousness might look like praying for an enemy, forgiving fast, or giving generously. You may not see results now—but you’re watering tomorrow’s blessings.

Transition: Paul moves from what we plant to what we praise. Because in the end, the only boast that matters isn’t about us—it’s about the Cross.

The only boast that matters isn’t about us,

IT IS ABOUT THE CROSS

POINT 3 — BOAST ONLY: The Cross Killed Karma (6:11–18)

“Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

[JFB Commentary]

Paul’s opponents “boasted in the flesh,” turning religion into performance. JFB says: “The Cross excluded all ground of boasting save in Christ crucified.”

[FSB Note]

The FSB observes: “Paul’s handwriting (‘large letters’) reflects both authenticity and urgency—this is no mere theory; it’s his lived conviction.”

[Hamrick Application]

Hamrick ends his message here: “You sow righteousness, you reap reward.” The cross doesn’t cancel sowing and reaping—it transforms it into grace and glory.

A. The False Boast (vv.11–13)

Galatians 6:11–13 NIV

See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.

Religious performance = image management.

“They want to make a good showing in the flesh.” (v.12)

Modern translation: They’re more worried about optics than obedience.

B. The True Boast (v.14)

Galatians 6:14 NIV

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

“God forbid that I should boast except in the cross.”

The cross is the death of self-rule and the birth of godly submission.

Application: Stop flexing your flesh; start reflecting your faith.

C. The New Creation (v.15)

Galatians 6:15 NIV

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.

“What counts is not circumcision… but a new creation.”

Self-rule seeks control; new creation seeks surrender.

Don’t let self-rule lead to self-ruin when godly submission leads to godly blessing.

D. The Marks of the Master (vv.16–18)

Galatians 6:16–18 NIV

Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Paul bears the “marks of Jesus” (stigmata) — scars of service, not status.

His closing line is not “try harder,” but “grace be with your spirit.”

That’s the opposite of karma—grace on your spirit.

CONCLUSION — Don’t Karma My Jesus

The world says, “You get what you deserve.” The gospel says, “Jesus got what you deserved.” Grace doesn’t erase sowing and reaping—it redeems it. So don’t “karma” my Jesus—because the cross broke the cycle of self-made religion and gave us Spirit-made transformation.

Restore Gently: Be a repairer, not a judge.

Sow Spiritually: What you plant today determines tomorrow’s harvest.

Boast Only: The Cross killed karma. Jesus took the punishment you deserved so you could reap what He deserved.

“Keep sowing to the Spirit, church. Read your Bible. Pray. Live like Jesus. The harvest is coming.”

Final Challenge

Don’t let self-rule lead to self-ruin—submit to the Spirit and reap godly blessing. Grace didn’t break the law of sowing and reaping; it bought back the field.