Choosing between different belief systems is a deep and personal process, and reasons for such a shift can vary widely depending on individual convictions or past experiences in life. One has to relearn and rethink everything one has been taught about the divine and the afterlife. Here are ten reasons someone might consider when moving from a belief in Karma to following Christ.

These comparisons highlight some of the potential limitations or differences in perspective between Karma and Christianity. To support the comparison with scriptural references, we have added some passages from the Bible as well as some Hindu texts that relate to the points discussed. There are probably scores of more passages we could have quoted, but for the sake of this short exposition, we have limited them to two or three references each. These scriptures illustrate the distinct approaches in both faiths to concepts like Grace, Purpose, Salvation, and Our Responsibility to Fellow Men, amongst others.  

(If you have any further references to back up the concepts discussed, please send them to us and we will try and include them in our next update of this literature.)

1.      A Personal Relationship with God:

Attribute of Karma: Karma often emphasizes a more impersonal system of cosmic justice where the focus is on actions and their consequences rather than a personal and open relationship with a deity. This can lead to a sense of detachment from the divine as Karma focuses more on the calculation of right and wrong actions without getting personally involved in someone’s life. Thus, praying for the Divine to change what the Karmic Law states can seem futile, as this would make the Law of Karma itself powerless.

• Bhagavad Gita 4:7-8: “Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjuna, at that time I descend Myself. To protect the righteous, to annihilate the wicked, and to reestablish the principles of dharma, I appear millennium after millennium.”
• Bhagavad Gita 9.4: “By Me, in My unmanifest form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings exist in Me, but I do not dwell in them.” Krishna, speaking as the Supreme Being, describes Himself in His unmanifest (avyakta) form, which pervades all creation. This suggests an impersonal, all-encompassing reality that cannot be confined to individual relationships.

These verses reflect the impersonal nature of Brahman in certain Hindu philosophical traditions, particularly in the Upanishads and some interpretations of the Bhagavad Gita. The emphasis is on an ultimate reality that transcends form, attributes, and personal relationships, aligning more with an abstract, all-encompassing concept of the divine rather than a personal deity with whom one might form a relationship.

What Christ Teaches:  Christianity emphasizes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, offering an immediate and direct connection to the divine without any intermediaries, where the secrets of the universe are revealed to all those who will seek Him. It emphasizes on the love of God FOR us and how He cleanses us in order to abide IN us. This God presents Himself as someone who knows us deeply, cares for us and is aware of all our suffering and temptations in life.  Though there is a Law of Cause and Effect based on our actions, it is ultimately under the authority of the one who made this Law, God Himself.

• (John 15:15) “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

• (Galatians 2:20) “I no longer live, but the Messiah lives in me, and the life that I am now living in this body I live by the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 

2.      Grace and Forgiveness:

Attribute of Karma: In the concept of Karma, the emphasis is on the natural consequences of one’s actions rather than divine forgiveness. This can create a sense of inevitable punishment and lack of hope for redemption, as one’s past actions continuously affect their future, and no one is free from daily transgressing God’s moral laws.  Even if one repents, they will still suffer the consequences of their sins in this life, the next, or both until they pay in full.  So suffering is guaranteed, justified, and eventually accepted both by the one who suffers and the one who causes others to suffer as part of their Cosmic Karmic duty. 

• Mahabharata, Book 12, Section 15 (Shanti Parva): “He who forgives always suffers; however, the one who forgives not, rules the people.” This verse suggests that forgiveness may lead to personal suffering, and withholding forgiveness might be necessary to maintain power and order.

• Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda (Book 4, Chapter 18, Verse 35): “There is no forgiveness for those who sin against Dharma (divine duty or good actions). Vali, you have sinned, and thus you must face the consequences of your actions.” This verse indicates a lack of grace towards Vali, even though he repented at the time of his death. Rama acted according to his interpretation of Dharma (divine duty), with little regard for forgiveness.

• Vishnu Purana 3.8.9: “Those who act against the established order of Dharma will be punished by the righteous, without hesitation or leniency, to preserve the balance of the cosmos.” This verse reflects the idea that preserving cosmic order (dharma) overrides any sense of compassion or grace over the offender and may require strictness and punishment without any mercy.

What Christ Teaches:  Christianity teaches that the forgiveness of sins and salvation is a gift of grace from God for anyone who will ask, not something earned through good actions, donations, sacrifices or penitence, as God’s love and forgiveness cannot be bought.  This concept of forgiveness can be compelling for those who are aware of their sins and are seeking redemption and reconciliation. 

In order to keep the balance of good and evil, as emphasized in the Cosmic theory of Hinduism, Christ went to the cross and took upon Himself the entirety of God’s wrath for all the sins (bad karma) of the world in order for us to be spared. God did not wait for us first to become holy and perfect in our lives in order to provide this unique way of redemption.  It was given to us by grace (undeserved or unmerited love).

• (Ephesians 2:8-9) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

• (1 John 1:9)– “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

• (2 Corinthians 5:21)“God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that God’s righteousness would be produced in us.” 

3.      Transformational Love:

Attribute of Karma: Karma does not focus on the transformational power of love and forgiveness. Instead, it often emphasizes the balance of actions and consequences, which may not address the need for a personal transformation in one’s life having experienced the unconditional love of the divine towards us. Without this personal experience of being loved, accepted, and forgiven, even after one has deliberately sinned, one cannot love fellow men unconditionally.  There will always be a limit to how much one can give of themselves as it is the love of God that transforms us to become sacrificial givers.

• Bhagavad Gita 3:19: “Therefore, always perform your duty efficiently and without attachment. Doing so, one attains the Supreme.”

• Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.6: “When all desires that dwell in the heart are cast away, then does the mortal become immortal, and he attains Brahman here.”

These verses point to liberation as the result of detachment from desires, not as the result of divine grace or love. The process is more about self-discipline, inner realization, and doing what is required without expecting anything in return, rather than about any moral transformation brought about by God’s love.

What Christ Teaches: The teachings of Jesus focus on love, compassion, and forgiveness, both from God towards us and our corresponding response towards others, which can be transformative and deeply fulfilling on a personal and communal level. We are taught to forgive because we have first been forgiven and to love as we have also first been loved by Christ.  It is Christ living in us that will make us love the unlovable, pray for our enemies and give up all we have for those who hate us and curse us.  This change towards humility is universal for anyone who truly accepts Christ in their lives.

• (John 13:34-25) “I am giving you a new commandment to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

• (1 John 4:10-11)“This is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, if this is the way God loved us, we must also love one another”. 

4.      Hope and Assurance of Salvation:

Attribute of Karma: The Karmic view does not offer much hope and assurance about the afterlife or ultimate reconciliation with a higher power. Furthermore, no one knows the current tally of their good and bad actions, thus in total oblivion about their current standing before the Law of Karma that will ultimately decide their fate.

Karma merely focuses on the cyclical nature of rebirth and the consequences of actions rather than a definitive promise of eternal life. No one knows when these rebirths will end in order for one to finally be reconciled to our Creator after we have suffered our Karma through numerous lives. The temporary nature of heaven, the complexity of the path to moksha (salvation), and the emphasis on personal effort and knowledge suggest that there is no guaranteed or assured salvation for all.

• Bhagavad Gita 2:13: “Just as the boyhood, youth, and old age come to the embodied Soul in this body, in the same manner, old age comes to the Soul in another body; the wise man is not deluded at that.”

This verse indicates that after death we simply transit to another body and live again to continue to pay for our karmas.  No assurance of being one with the divine or being set free from this vicious cycle of life and death (samsara).

• Bhagavad Gita 9.21: “Having enjoyed the vast heaven-world, they return to the world of mortals when their merit is exhausted; thus, those who follow the rituals prescribed by the Vedas, desiring desires, attain only the cycle of birth and death.”

This verse implies that heaven is temporary and not eternal. The merit that takes one to heaven is eventually depleted, this illustrates that there is no guaranteed, permanent salvation or assurance of an eternal heaven in Hindu cosmology.

What Christ Teaches: Christianity offers hope and assurance of eternal life with God, which can provide comfort and purpose beyond this life. Not only did Christ promise us freedom from Sin and death, but proved it by returning from the grave and defeating both spiritual and physical death.  This eternal life, which means being one with God, starts the moment we accept Christ in our hearts.

(John 3:16) “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.”

(Rom 6:8-9) “Now if we have died with the Messiah, we believe that we will also live with him, for we know that the Messiah, who was raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” 

5.      Community and Support:

Attribute of Karma: Karma inherently fails to provide a sense of social belonging. There is no set support system for the destitute or calling to be a part of a community where one can be supportive of each other’s needs both emotionally or financially. The focus is on individual actions, self-realization, personal responsibilities, and their results for a future reincarnation rather than fostering communal relationships here and now. Therefore, there is a Lack of the sense of being part of a Spiritual Family.

• Bhagavad Gita 6.10: “Let the yogi constantly practice yoga in solitude, remaining alone, with the mind and body controlled, free from desires and possessiveness.”
• Jabala Upanishad, 4.2: “The one who desires liberation must renounce everything—family, possessions, even the Vedic rituals—and go into solitude to seek the truth.”

This verse emphasizes the practice of yoga in solitude (the highest spiritual discipline in order to achieve salvation), indicating that the path to self-realization or spirituality is one that should be undertaken alone and without communal involvement. There can be no attachment or sense of responsibility to anything or anyone if one truly wants to be enlightened. This thought pattern can lead to adults abandoning their families in order to pursue spiritual awareness.

What Christ Teaches: Many people are drawn to the sense of community, support, and shared values found in Christian congregations. They can share without being condemned for their sins and be lifted up with love and grace in order to feel like they truly belong and are accepted by others.  It is by having constant fellowship that we learn to love each other regardless of their shortcoming, which is what truly makes us represent the divine.  One is not allowed to ignore their responsibility to immediate family and pursue a spiritual path, as being in communion with others is a vital part of the spiritual teachings of Christ.

• (Acts 2:44-47) – “All the believers were together and had everything in common… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

• (Hebrews 10:24-25) “And let us continue to consider how to motivate one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day of the Lord coming nearer.” 

6.      Moral Framework:

Attribute of Karma: While karma implies a moral cause-and-effect system, it lacks a clear, structured moral framework provided through its teachings. This has led to complete ambiguity in moral decision-making. Every guru, teacher or religious doctrine can teach as they will regarding moral conduct as there is no one specific guideline to follow.

 If Karma determines what is right or wrong, and it has no set rules, then who is to condemn you for what you decide is good for you? Sexual promiscuity, Homosexuality, Abortion, Divorce, lying on your Taxes, Abusing your Spouse after getting intoxicated, Eating meat…etc. all become subjective to one’s personal moral convictions.

• Bhagavad Gita 3:30: “Surrendering all your actions to Me, with your mind fixed on the Self, freeing yourself from desire and selfishness, fight.”

• Ashtavakra Gita 1.11: “For the one who has realized the self, there is neither righteousness (dharma) nor unrighteousness (adharma), neither good nor bad. These apply only to one who sees the world as dual and perceives a separate self.”

This verse suggests that for the enlightened person who has realized the non-dual self, moral distinctions no longer apply. Morality is seen as a construct for those still entangled in the illusion of duality (maya), those who are still bound by ignorance and have not yet been self-enlightened, where distinctions like good and evil, virtue and vice, become irrelevant. Once a person is enlightened, they live beyond moral laws, suggesting that morality is part of an illusion.

What Christ Teaches: Christianity provides a moral framework based on the teachings of Jesus, which can guide ethical decision-making and personal behavior. No one can change those guidelines and they are to be equally kept by all Castes, Colour, Gender or Age groups. It is this universal moral guide or Law by which we will all be judged and therefore are required to uphold. Thanks to these guidelines were are now able to know what God requires from us as an individual, society and nation.

• (Matthew 22:37-40) “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
• (Romans 7:7) “…I wouldn’t have become aware of sin if it had not been for the Law. I wouldn’t have known what it means to covet if the Law had not said, “You must not covet.” 

A major part of the Moral Foundations of Christianity can be found in the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20) and in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

7.      Sense of Purpose:

Attribute of Karma: Karma emphasizes the results of one’s actions but may not offer a clear sense of purpose or mission beyond the cycle of rebirth and karma. It can sometimes lead to a view of life as a series of events driven by previous actions without a larger, purposeful direction. No one knows what actions of a past life are affecting us now, and if these actions are good or bad for our next reincarnation.  If one is wealthy and comfortable now, this may lead him to a life of poverty and misery next time around.  So, there can be a Lack of Clear Purpose for one’s existence.

• Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.12: “As a lump of salt thrown into water dissolves in the water and cannot be taken out again, but wherever we take water, it is salty; even so, O Maitreyi, this great being, infinite, boundless, consists of pure intelligence alone. These self dissolves when ignorance is removed.”

This verse conveys that the individual self dissolves into the infinite consciousness, just as salt dissolves into water. Once this dissolution occurs, the concept of personal or eternal purpose vanishes, as the self merges with the impersonal Brahman. Therefore, once we die and are able to receive salvation, we cease to exist as a conscious individual and become part of the cosmos.

What Christ Teaches: Following Christ can offer a sense of purpose and mission, as believers are called to live out their faith through service and love for others. We were created to have fellowship and worship our Creator on earth and in the afterlife.  Our soul is made for eternity to consciously enjoy the great rewards and comfort stored up for those who have faithfully obeyed Christ.  Not only is our birth pre-planned and celebrated, but divinely purposed for great and wonderful works.  

• (Matthew 28:19) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
• (Revelation 21:4) “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There won’t be death anymore. There won’t be any grief, crying, or pain, because the first things have disappeared.” 
• (Ephesians 2:10) “For we are God’s masterpiece, created in the Messiah Jesus to perform good actions that God prepared long ago to be our way of life.”

8.      Historical and Cultural Influence and Exclusion:

Attribute of Karma: Karma, as a concept, may not have the same broad historical and cultural impact in certain regions as Christianity due to the fact that Christianity encompasses all mankind, regardless of caste, creed, or colour from the beginning of creation. This lack of origin and inclusion of all humanity can affect the sense of belonging or connection to a larger historical and cultural narrative. In other words, Karma may only affect Hindus born with Hindu blood. 

There is not much consideration for anyone outside of the geographical region of ancient Persia where Hindu traditions both religious and cultural are said to have originated about 4.000 B.C.  While Karma is influential in the Hindu culture, it may not have the same broad impact outside of Hindu traditions, due to the fact that there is no way to wedge in foreigners to the religious Caste System.

• Manusmriti 4.30: “A twice-born man (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya) must not dwell in a kingdom governed by Sudras (Lower Caste or Untouchables), nor in one populated by heretics and Mlecchas (foreigners or non-Hindus).”

• Manusmriti 10.20-21: “But those born outside the Vedic knowledge, the non-Aryans, are to be considered as inferior and unfit for Vedic rituals and practices.”

These verses emphasize the superiority of Vedic practices and those within the Vedic fold, potentially excluding those who do not adhere to these traditions. Furthermore, it seems to consider all non-Hindus by birth to be of the lowest caste, or not worthy to partake of the Hindu rituals of worship. These verses might come as a shock to those who are born into non-Hindu tradition and want to follow Hinduism and Karma.

What Christ Teaches:  Christianity has had a profound Historical and Cultural Influence worldwide.  There is no other volume of books that can specifically trace World History, the origin of mankind, and their relationship with the Creator as deeply and profoundly as the Bible. Furthermore, evidence makes it clear that whichever nation or culture has adopted true Christian values, has prospered not only in social structure but also in its economy.  Unfortunately, modern Western society has rejected these roots and is currently heading towards total self-annihilation.  No one is excluded from the promises of Christ for salvation, regardless of ethnic background.

• (Matthew 5:14) “You are the light of the world…”

• (Matthew 24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 

• (Revelation 7:9)“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes…”

9.      Scriptural Teachings:

Attribute of Karma: The principle of karma lacks a central, unified scriptural authority like the Bible in Christianity. This can lead to less concrete guidance for individuals seeking spiritual direction. There is no one set of texts that takes the ultimate authority about Karma and how it functions, there is simply a vague understanding of the matter passed on by word of mouth.  

Therefore, one can conclude that Karma and Hinduism don’t have a Central Scriptural Authority upon which to base their current life and eternity. The Bhagavad Gita is a key text, but there is no single, unified scripture that encapsulates all aspects of karma across different traditions.

The Mundaka Upanishad, Chandogya Upanishad, and Yoga Vasistha stress that personal experience and self-realization are more important than following scriptures, therefore everyone is right in their own decisions and no one can judge or condemn anyone else for their actions.

• Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.3: “O Uddhava, the path of bhakti transcends the rules of scripture. Devotion unto Me surpasses all regulations and scriptural injunctions.”

Here, Krishna tells Uddhava that even scriptures can be surpassed by sincere devotion, which underscores the lack of a singular authoritative scripture for Hindus.

What Christ Teaches: Biblical Scripture is not based on personal experience or opinion, but rather on the holiness of God and His statutes for mankind.  It is through these Scriptures that we can know who God is, what His requirements are, and what He will do for those who choose to live by these Laws. There might be variations in the interpretation of these Scriptures leading to various denominations, but that does not cancel the fact that there is only one set of unified and authoritative set of texts upon which to base the Christian faith.

• (2 Timothy 3:16) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

• (Psalms 19:8)“The precepts of the LORD are upright, making the heart rejoice. The commandment of the LORD is pure, giving light to the eyes.” 

10. Personal Testimonies:

Attribute of Karma: Karma fails to provide a framework for personal testimonies of transformation or divine intervention. It focuses on impersonal cosmic laws rather than personal experiences of faith and change through a relationship with God. No matter what one says or believes, it is the lives transformed that speak for themselves.  One can put their faith in many things, but if there is no change in our ways, then that faith is dead and not worth following.  Karma focuses on an Impersonal law rather than a personal relationship with the Lawgiver.

What Christ Teaches:  Many individuals find compelling personal testimonies and experiences of transformation through their Christian faith, which can serve as a strong motivator for their own spiritual journey and for others who seek a change in their lives. There is no other Faith that can compete with the number of testimonies of lives transformed simply by the teachings of the Bible and the direct supernatural intervention of God and miracles in their situation.

• (Revelation 12:11) “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

• (1 Peter 2:9-10) “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people to be his very own and to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 

• (Acts 1:8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

In Conclusion

The comparison between Karma and following Christ reveals key distinctions in how each belief system approaches critical aspects of life, spirituality, and morality. Karma, with its focus on impersonal cosmic justice, lacks the personal relationship with the divine that Christianity offers. It emphasizes the inevitability of actions and their consequences without the intervention of grace or forgiveness, often leaving individuals to continuously bear the weight of their deeds through cycles of rebirth. In contrast, Christianity emphasizes divine grace, unconditional love, and personal transformation through a relationship with Christ, offering a path to redemption and eternal life that transcends the limitations of Karma.

Moreover, while Karma provides a framework for moral conduct through the law of cause and effect, it lacks the communal support, assurance of salvation, and clear sense of purpose that many find in the teachings of Christ. Christianity offers a unified scriptural authority in the Bible, guiding believers in their faith, ethics, and relationship with God and each other.

Personal testimonies of transformation through Christ and His divine intervention further illustrate His power to bring about profound change in the lives of individuals. Ultimately, these differences offer meaningful insights for those exploring the paths of Karma and Christianity. We have highlighted here for you how each belief system shapes one’s spiritual journey in unique ways, and how, depending on your choice, you can determine your Eternal Destiny.

I would like to add that there are Hindu Scriptures, however, that indicate that divine intervention can occur in order to override the penalty of Karma.  If this is so, then Karma loses all its power, influence, and religious value as no matter what wrong one does in life, the divine cancels all punishment.  This offer of salvation by grace, surprisingly enough, is what Christ offers us in the Bible, the only difference is that in Hinduism one still has to perform sacred rituals and devotion (bhakti), while in Christianity all you have to do is admit your faults, surrender to Christ and accept in return the gift of salvation.  

There are only two types of faiths in the world, one where we make ourselves righteous through our actions (Karma), and the other where God becomes our righteousness (Christ).

Personally, even though I was born a Hindu in one of the higher Castes in a well-to-do family, I chose to forsake Karma and surrender to Christ. I immediately achieved enlightenment, self-realization, and awareness of the divine, and my life has never been the same.

• By Pastor Mahesh Devidas Shivnani