What About Reincarnation?

SEARCHLIGHT 

Is there any similarity between Christianity and reincarnation? 

SCRIPTURE  

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die…  Ecclesiastes 3:1,2a NIV  

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Ecclesiastes 3:14,15 NIV   

SPOTLIGHT  

Someone asked C.S. Lewis “You don’t believe in reincarnation?” Lewis quickly responded  “Of course not, I’m a Christian.” [The Quotable Lewis, P.513]  

Simply put, reincarnation is the belief that a person’s soul or spirit does not die but is reinstated into a new physical body or other form. It is a central belief of Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Reincarnation can also be a part of the New Age movement and Spiritualism.  

Christianity and reincarnation are totally opposite. Someone once said to Billy Graham, “I don’t fear death like most people, because I firmly believe that when I die, I’ll come back to life again, maybe even on another planet. I think you ought to give reincarnation some thought.”  Billy Graham responded by saying, “I realize reincarnation - the idea of living again after we die instead of entering eternity - may seem attractive to some people. After all (as you indicate), it seems to take away the sting of death. But does it? If reincarnation were true, how would you know your next life would be any better than this life has been? It might be much worse — and what hope or peace is there in that? Nor (if reincarnation were true) would there be any certainty that the process would ever end. The Bible rejects reincarnation. But I want you to understand why the Bible rejects reincarnation. The reason is because it isn’t necessary!” 

Here is what the Bible teaches about life, death and the afterlife.  

1. Man lives once and dies once. Read today’s Scripture focus. Life is precious. Death is real. Then add to it Hebrew 9:27, 28a which states, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many;” Death is final and irreversible. It is followed by God’s judgment. This is totally opposite to reincarnation which teaches that a man is reinstated rather than dying. 
2. There is a life after death in either heaven or hell.  John 3:16,17 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Life after death is as certain as life and death. This is totally opposite to reincarnation which teaches that the soul enters a new form which may be animal, plant, rock, etc. 
3. The eternal home for a Christian is heaven. [John 14:1-4] Jesus promised the thief on the cross that he would be in Christ’s presence the very moment he breathed his last earthly breath. This would be a conscious state. This is totally opposite to reincarnation which teaches that a person can enter into another state of being. Reincarnation teaches that there is a cycle which can be repeated for thousands of years until a person learns what he or she is supposed to learn.  
4. A person’s life will be evaluated upon repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. [Romans 5:1; 10:9,10] The issue is not whether a person is good or bad. Only Jesus Christ can pay the price for man’s sin. [Romans 3:23,24; 6:23;] Man’s goodness cannot make him a better person. He needs Jesus to be his advocate. [1 John 2:1,2, 1:5-10] This is totally opposite to reincarnation which teaches that a person’s behavior, whether it be good or bad, will determine the person’s next form of life. Karma is the key to affecting a person’s next position and quality of life. 
5. God is the final authority about a person’s life being good or bad. Man is accountable to God alone about his/her life on earth. Read again in the Scripture focus Ecclesiastes 3:14,15. For more Scripture, check Romans 14:10,12; 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Revelation 20:12,13. This is totally opposite to reincarnation which teaches that a person’s destiny will be determined by his/her character. It is not clear as to who or what decides what is a good or bad character. 

Christianity and reincarnation are in no way similar. Christianity offers you forgiveness and hope through Jesus Christ. Reincarnation offers you a lot of work in order to make yourself better. Jesus did all the work for you. He can change your life when you confess Him as your Savior and Lord.    

SOMETHING TO DO 

Check out all the Bible verses mentioned above.  

SOUL TIME PRAYER 

Lord Jesus Christ, I A-dmit that I am a sinner and someone who is self-centered. I B-elieve You died on the cross to save me and to change me to become Christ-centered. I C-onfess You to be my personal Savior and Lord. I D-evote myself to live to honor You, Jesus, rather than myself. 

Thank You for hearing my prayer. Thank You for becoming my personal friend. AMEN

Tags: heaven, ecclesiastes, afterlife, reincarnation