In light of the recent uproar with an Australian rugby player who has been vilified all over social media, newspaper, slandered by non-believers and even shunned by some Christians – a question that must be asked, was he telling the truth or not?

A Christian poet once shared, “People don’t want to hear the truth about God because it reveals the truth about themselves.”

The reality is when it comes to sharing the word of God – it can become offensive to those whose lifestyle contradicts the standards that He has set in place. John 3:19-20 says,

“And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.”

The Word of God is powerful enough to pierce our hearts (Hebrews 4:12-13) and in the book of Acts, while the disciples were boldly sharing the gospel without compromise, they got two responses –

Some were cut to the heart and asked “Brothers, what should we do” (Acts 2:37). Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38)

Others got upset, persecuted them, took them to the courts and even tried to stone them (read Acts 7). Persecution was evident. And we still see this today that people are either ready to receive the word or have hardened hearts and reject it completely. What they do with the seed sown in their heart is not in our control but we have a duty as Christians to preach His word.

As Christians, we don’t share the word of God to pronounce judgment but rather to warn others to repent because we love them. If we truly love someone we would tell them the truth not because we want to hurt them but because if we don’t, it will hurt them later on. Eternity is too long and too precious. So why are we afraid to speak the truth when tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

This was Paul speaking to Christians and he didn’t categorise sin (as some may do in order to justify why it’s okay). He said all sin will lead to destruction. All the scriptures that talk about inheriting the promises of God highlight the fact, that it can only be achieved unless you have God’s Spirit dwelling inside of you and you are truly transformed. Nothing of the flesh can enter God’s kingdom and if we can be honest with ourselves, you will not find these things in God’s kingdom.

If Paul is warning the church of Galatia about this, what more is this saying to the rest of the world that don’t know Jesus?

As a church, what are we to do when the world has its own doctrine that truth is relative? That we can all have our own truths as long as it doesn’t question what another person believes in.

I think of Paul who wrote to the church of Galatia in chapter 1 when they were being led astray by another gospel. He said,

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

There is no other gospel but Christ’s. There is no other name in which we can call upon to be saved other than the Name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13). There is no other path to heaven but one, and He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).

We cannot be afraid of what will follow when we decide to take a stand because even Jesus said tribulation will come (John 16:33). We are not exempt from anything that Jesus went through. It’s easy to rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and forget that He suffered so that we may become saved.

As Christians, we have a choice to make. Who are we going to serve? God or people whom He created? Are we going to live our lives pleasing God or pleasing people? Are we going to serve Jesus on a platter to the world so that they would accept Him or are we going to share the Word of God in its whole entirety?

If we add or take away from the gospel believing that it will draw others to Jesus, we are doing the gospel of Jesus Christ a disservice. If the disciples in the New Testament preached God’s word then we must believe that God’s Word is still powerful enough to convict and transform an individual’s life.

The truth is, God is the same yesterday, today and forever – what He didn’t stand for in the beginning, will still be the same no matter how many generations supersede ours. And throughout the Bible, we read about men and women of God standing firm amongst a group of people who have chosen to rebel against God. These biblical heroes didn’t back down.

Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are you willing to endure the heat for the sake of glorifying God alone or will you bow down to external pressures because it’s getting too hot.

Israel Falou isn’t afraid about the likelihood of losing his position as long as he could continue to put his faith in Christ. It may seem more convenient to become neutral or even cold as long as other people don’t feel the heat.

If we try to snuff out our fire, water down the gospel, hide our light and lose our saltiness as Christians – how can we become effective soul-winners? Yes, love is important because that is God’s command to all of us who are His children but we must also remember that in 1 Corinthians 13, one of the attributes of love is that it doesn’t rejoice in wrongdoing.

God bless,
Susan Awonuga

Sidenote – I had the privilege to share this blog post on Made in Heaven’s website:
https://madeinheaven.com.au/2019/04/the-truth-about-truth-israel-folau/?fbclid=IwAR1Or0X-_m7qQeKkO79E4l78Dn1fiUAgyP4cP8Dwmk6qpGJiCKzqHNa0I8Y