One of the popular religious and philosophical teachings about life after death is reincarnation. Reincarnation teaches that when a person dies, the person's soul begins a new life in a different physical form or body, such as a human, animal, or insect body. The teaching of reincarnation comes mainly from the Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism religions. The reincarnation of the soul depends upon the Karma of the person. Karma is any actions, whether they are good or bad, that have consequences for the future reincarnation. Karma dictates the future forms and realms of future lives. For example, a person's good intentions and actions lead to a good future. Bad intentions and actions lead to a bad future. So, if a person is good in this lifetime, his future reincarnation will be good. He may turn to have a wealthier and healthier new life on this earth. But if the person is bad in this lifetime, he may turn to a lesser form of life in his reincarnation, such as becoming an animal or an insect on this earth. The problem with the teaching of reincarnation is that a person's soul keeps on coming back to this corruptible world. Therefore, suffering never ends because there is no solution to sin. The cycle of reincarnation and the death and life cycle continues.
The Bible doesn't teach or support the teaching of reincarnation. The Bible is very clear that when a person dies, he or she will either go to Heaven or hell. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." People who deny Jesus as their Lord and Savior will die in their sins. As a result, they will be thrown into hell after they die in this lifetime (Revelations 21:8). However, for those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, their sins are forgiven, and they will receive a new body in Heaven. Our suffering in this world will end, and we will enter into a new perfect world where there is no more pain, sorrow, sickness, death, and sin (Revelation 21). Death for us as believers is a new beginning of life in Heaven.
Reincarnation is a popular teaching, but there is no answer to sin. It always depends on the good works of a person. However, Christianity has answers to sin because of what Jesus has done on the cross, and it depends not on good works but on faith in the Lord Jesus.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you). What does reincarnation teach? What does the Bible teach about life after death? What do I believe about life after death? Why?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for opening my eyes to know and understand what your Word says about life after death. Thank you for saving me and giving me eternal life, and when my life is finished in this world, I will be with you in Heaven forever, where there is no more pain, sorrow, sin, and death. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.