Is cancer karma?

Is cancer karma? The Book of Job answers whether extreme suffering is always God’s punishment. Job lost thousands of livestock, all 10 children, and his health to a horrible disease involving skin “tumors,” which sounds like cancer. Anyone relate yet? It was apparent to Job’s “friends” that Job’s suffering was God’s punishment for sin – karma. This accusation is echoed today by people declaring certain disaster victims deserve their fate – because of their political preferences! Job, however, was declared “blameless” by God, settling once for all that suffering is not always punishment. So much for karma!

If sin causes cancer …

Eliphaz summarizes the friends’ judgmental take in Job 4:8, “According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble harvest it.” Ultimately, God rebuked him, stating, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is trustworthy, as My servant Job has” (Job 42:7). Although Job forgave them, their words caused him great pain.

As many cancer patients know, some still link suffering to divine judgment. But if God punished sin with cancer, we would all be dead by now! (More on this here).

The Bible on Suffering

Scripture is clear – suffering is part of a righteous person’s experience and comes with following Jesus:

• Psalm 34:19 – The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the Lord rescues him from them all.
• Philippians 1:29 – For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf.

Some thought Jesus was getting what He deserved as He hung on the cross. Isaiah 53:4-6 says, “We ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” Yet He took on our punishment. “He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.”

Karma got what it deserves

Karma got blown up by the cross! You see, Jesus got what we deserved – death and punishment, and we got what we didn’t deserve – abundant, eternal life! So do not accept the lie that God is punishing you through illness. Isaiah 53:4 actually establishes God’s provision for miraculous healing, as it is echoed in Matthew 8:16-17, where Jesus healed the physically sick, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. This is just another benefit of the cross we don’t deserve, but God loves to give!

If you believe you can earn your way to heaven, remember you must be perfect and it’s too late for that! Instead, receive the free gift of eternal life through Jesus, who took on your sins at the cross! Find out more here.