I Only Have Two Hands

By James*

I didn’t know Kevin well. He was a semester behind me in language classes. When we met at university orientation, he asked me how to renew his student visa, something I had done only a few months earlier. I gave him my number in case he had any more questions, but that was our only interaction, until one day…

I was getting a coffee on lunch break, when Kevin walked up and said, “Hey, James! I hear you’re a Christian. I’m Turkish and grew up a Muslim, and I like talking about religious things. Would you share what you believe?”

What an opportunity! As a Christian studying at a secular, French university, a young Turkish Muslim student basically said, “Will you share the gospel with me?” We went outside, sat on the curb, and began talking about our beliefs. Kevin made a strange statement: “I know I’m not really a Muslim now, but I want to die a Muslim.”

As an American, the words, “I want to die a Muslim,” sent up red flags and started sirens screaming in my head! But I quickly realized Kevin was trying to say, “I know I’m not living right, but I want to have a right relationship with God when I die.” Muslim was the only way he knew to express that desire.

As we continued talking about differences between Islam and Christianity, Kevin made a rather bold statement. He said, “James, I feel Islam is a stronger religion than Christianity.”

I inquired, “What do you mean?”

Kevin didn’t mince words. “In Islam, if you’re caught stealing, they cut off your hand.” He admitted the punishment is rarely practiced anymore but remains the consequence in “true Islam.” He continued, “If a woman is caught in adultery, she is stoned to death. Islam has strong consequences to keep people from sinning, and I think that makes it a strong religion. What are the ‘consequences’ in Christianity?”

I sat for a moment with no idea how to respond. In the States, we learn about God’s grace and love and Jesus’ sacrifice, but I rarely consider consequences. I prayed desperately for words. I didn’t want to throw out a “pat answer” without appropriate context.

Suddenly, it was as though the Holy Spirit whispered, “You need to tell this young man about Hell.” “What?!” I prayed. “God, this is my first spiritual conversation with this young Muslim man who I don’t know well!” The Holy Spirit still nudged, “Yes, I want you to tell him about Hell.”

So, I told Kevin, “Christians believe humans are fallen creatures. If the Bible instructed us to go around chopping off hands or stoning people, we would often get that wrong. However, in Christianity, whether you steal something, commit adultery, tell a ‘little white lie,’ or murder someone, the consequence for any sin is eternity in Hell, separated from God. If I had to choose between getting my hand cut off or spending an eternity in Hell, I believe Hell is the stronger consequence!”

To my surprise, Kevin responded positively. “Oh yes! In Islam, we believe in Hell, too. But we believe you’re born in a ‘good place’ with God. When you sin, it knocks you down, but with good works, or by getting your hand cut off, you are put back in the right place where you can go to paradise.”

I looked at Kevin and asked, “But, man, how much have you sinned?”

He quietly nodded.

I said, “Me too. I’ve sinned more times than I can count, and the problem is I only have two hands! I can’t pay for my own sins. That is why I believe Jesus had to be God! Only Jesus, by being God and living a perfect life, could be a perfect sacrifice and pay for the sins of the world.” I shared a simple gospel message: Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, and by trusting in His death, burial, and resurrection, we can be right with God and go to Heaven.

I was late to my next French class, but I know my teammates and God are okay with that. I wish Kevin accepted Christ that day, but he didn’t. He’s still searching. He is watching me and other believers, and he knows our lifestyle is different. I’ve shared the gospel with him on other occasions. Please pray Kevin would come to accept that the price—the penalty—of his sins were paid through the Cross.

*For security reasons, all names in this article have been changed. Learn more...

About the Author: James works with Muslim immigrants and students in France.