A message to Israel Folau: the world does not need more Christians who judge

OPINION: O Israel – why? This plea could come directly from the Scriptures referring to Israel, but it was uttered by many, last week – including myself – against one of Australia's greatest rugby players.

I admire Israel Folau not only as a sportsman, but as a man who will not compromise his beliefs and who is not afraid to defend Christ. I respect people who have also been criticized for their beliefs, like Margaret Court. Freedom of religion is paramount in a society like Australia and no one should be convicted for holding firm beliefs.

However, as Christians, it is equally important to look at oneself and look at one's own weaknesses and imperfections. If you look at the list of sins listed by Izzy, there are not many people he has left out, including Christians. There is no one on earth who has not lied or put anything before God (idolatry).

Although sin is a real problem, the God I know and want to follow is a God of love. He says that he did not come to condemn the world, he came to save him. And as Christians, we would do well to follow the example of the founder of our faith. I believe that there is a paradise and a hell, but if you study the scriptures, you will not know that Jesus is shouting to people that they are all going to hell. In fact, Jesus, John the Baptist and the Apostle Paul, all kept their harshest criticisms of those who were religious and judged.

READ MORE:
* Castle: Folau ignored the warning
* Cheika: I will not choose Folau anymore
* Hansen: Folau's "is dropped"
* Folau must be warned
* Unrepentant Folau on the poles
* Rugby Australia digs its hole
* Folau's grounds for legal claim
* Act of self-sabotage of Folau
* Where is Maria Folau in all this?
* Wallabies better without Folau

In 40 years to tell people the good news of Jesus, I have found that the approach of "turning or burning" to proclaim the message of Christianity is alienating people. To frighten people does not attract them in the love of Jesus.

God cared so much about the eternity of humanity that he sent his only son to die in order to find a way to restore and reconcile. The problem with hard comments in the media and derogatory statements about social media is that they create a new divide between God and people.

The world does not need more Christians who judge. In the eyes of many, the church is not relevant to their lives and seems stuck in the past.

But this is not the church I know. The church is a group of diverse (and imperfect) people who have all been captivated and adopted in the same story – with Jesus in the center. The central scenario of our faith is a story of love and redemption, a story of forgiveness and acceptance, a story of unmerited grace and mercy without reservation. I have been the grateful recipient of all these truths, as has Folau, Court and anyone who has personally experienced the love of Christ.

I would never compromise the integrity of Bible teaching and believe the Bible is clear about the consequences of sin. However, as Christians, we are called to love God and to love others, including those who believe differently in us.

I hope all Australians give thanks to Izzy. He is young, sincere and pbadionate about his relationship with God. We have all made mistakes by speaking too fast, judging too harshly or being blinded by our own obstinacy. The world is better when we all look at each other and recognize our own human weaknesses. We can give him the same grace that we would like others to show us.

– Brian Houston is the senior pastor of Hillsong Church in Sydney