Australian Rugby Star Says Gay People Will Go To Hell

What is a Christian response to homosexuality?

Australia's fullback Israel Folau. © Jason Reed / Reuters

High-profile Australian rugby player Israel Folau has sparked controversy on social media after saying that God's plan for gay people is “hell.”

The NSW Wallabies star shared an Instagram post on Tuesday in reference to the injury he sustained on Saturday while playing for the New South Wales Waratahs.

The post, which contained the Biblical quote “consider it all joy when you encounter various trials,” also had two pictures above the scriptural message showing that “your plans” and “God’s plans” don’t always coincide.

Folau, who is followed by 337,000 people on Instagram, made a controversial comment in reply to a question from someone who asked, “what was gods [sic] plan for gay people??”

“HELL... Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God,” Folau responded, causing uproar on social media, with many people accusing him of intolerance and homophobia.

It is not the first time the deeply religious Folau has shared his views on sexual orientation. Last September, he was criticized for comments on same-sex marriage.

"I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage," he tweeted.

Folau’s statements contradict Rugby Australia's (politically correct) inclusion policy introduced in 2014, which states: "Rugby has and must continue to be a sport where players, officials, volunteers, supporters and administrators have the right and freedom to participate regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race or religion and without fear of exclusion."

“There is no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and our actions and words both on and off the field must reflect this."

Folau is one of Australia’s most recognizable rugby players, and was one of the five finalists shortlisted as World Rugby’s player of the year last season.

So, what do you think of Folau's response? If you are a Bible-believing Christian, you might say that he is correct in his response. If you are a politically correct person you will probably say that he is a homophobe, evil, hateful, and a bigot.

A PC person will not have his mind changed by anything I can write here, even if it makes sense. So the following is aimed at Christians. It is not the final word, by any means, but hopefully, the beginning of a dialogue.

Most Christians are not homophobes, that is, they have no fear of an inner homosexual emerging one day. If we fear homosexuals it is because we don't want our children to become one. Why? Because, as Folau wrote, gays go to Hell. All Christians hope and pray that their children, grandchildren, etc., will be with them in Eternity.

If we were ideal Christians, we would be just as concerned for those who practice homosexuality as we are for our children. The problem today is that we cannot reach gays or transgenders with the Gospel because we have treated them so poorly. There can easily be found examples of Christians, or so-called Christians who are hateful and bigoted toward gays, etc. This results in gays rejecting all Christians as bigoted and hateful and being hyper-sensitive.

Hyper-sensitive gays, transgenders, etc., believe that anyone who doesn't warmly embrace their ideology is an evil, hateful, and bigoted homophobe. If they don't actually believe it, it suits their cause to shout it aloud anyway.

Is there any way we can reach gays with the Gospel? Only one, I'm afraid, and that is praying for them. It is, alas, not we who can ever reach them, but the Holy Spirit has to reach them. 

Honestly, how much time have you spent on your knees praying for a gay or transgendered person? 

Have you ever spent a moment praying for such? 

Have you spent as much time praying for them as you spent criticizing them?

Do you think this will come up during 'your' judgment?

Is there a better way to handle questions like the one asked of Folau?

As the world turns more and more in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah, it seems obvious that it will not be long before Jesus returns to set up His Kingdom on earth. He prophesied it many times when He walked the earth and it is usually accompanied with a warning, like this:

MATTHEW 13:36. His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."
37. And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,
38. and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;
39. and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.
40. "So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age.
41. "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,
42. and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

43. "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

You can reach me by commenting below;
email: garymsmail@gmail.com;
Twitter: @GaryWmMyers; or
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/GaryWmMyers/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel