Over the next few weeks in home groups as well as on the Sunday mornings we will be looking at dealing with offense and with the hurts that inevitably come into our lives from people around us.

In my view one of the key underlying issues hindering people encountering the fullness of the power and love of God in their lives is the hurts that they are holding against each other. Sometime hurts that can stretch back many years.

Offended hearts are often hearts with walls around them built to protect themselves from further hurts but they are also often hardened against the love and power of God.

One key resource that will be assisting us in this journey over this next few weeks will be the Book the “Bait of Satan” by John Bevere. I trust this theme of becoming free from offense will be by Gods spirit helpful for many.

The Israel Folau controversy captured the media and social media and still rumbles on. I’m sure you know the details. In a reference to his recent injuries, Israel posted, on Instagram, a graphic contrasting our plan (plain sailing) with God’s plan for us (multiple obstacles and ups and downs) and quoted James 1:2-4: Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, because the testing of your faith produces endurance…

One respondent asked “what was gods [sic] plan for gay people??” and Israel Folau answered, “HELL… unless they repent of their sins and turn to God”.

The outcry ensued with people, including commentators in the media, calling him all sorts of names and asking for sanctions, including not allowing him into New Zealand etc.

Rugby Australia chose not to sanction him but talked about inclusivity and the need for respect when players speak out.

Israel wrote a fuller explanation entitled “I’m a sinner too” which included his own testimony, his explanation for his Instagram post and a willingness to walk away from rugby if the controversy was causing too many problems for Rugby Australia.

He has since posted a link to a video by David Wilkerson calling people to repent and, at some points, mentioning homosexuality.

Clearly many are outraged. Some Christians feel that Israel was unwise. Others disagree with his stance altogether. Still others agree with him.

Was he right in what he said?

In his later post, Israel has referred to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 which says, “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (NIV).

That passage does not single out homosexuality. There are many sins that will keep a person out of the Kingdom of God. But homosexuality is mentioned as one of those.

It is also true that God wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4-6, 1 Peter 3:9) so it is possible to say that God’s plan is the homosexual’s salvation, recognising that, for those who do not repent, hell is the prospect that awaits them. Israel’s post held out the possibility of repentance and turning to God as the alternative to hell. It could be argued that he could have made it more positive but it is hard to argue that he was wrong in what he said. We should note that 1 Timothy 2:4-6 talks about there being only one mediator between God and mankind, Jesus who gave Himself as a ransom for all people, and 1 Peter 3:9 says God wants people to come to repentance.

Was he right in the way he said it?

Social media is a notorious medium especially for controversial topics. We should all consider if Instagram or Facebook or whatever is the best place to engage in a conversation like this. Using only a few words also does not allow for subtlety. A brief response can look harsh. Was it wise using upper case letters for hell? Probably not.

As has already been stated, Israel Folau could have stated the positive prospect of salvation more strongly.

There are probably many things that can be learnt from this incident about Christian wisdom in responding especially on social media but also in other contexts. It is often advisable to pause before responding and to seek wisdom from others about both the content and the style of the response. An ungracious response on the issue of homosexuality runs the risk of hurting people struggling with same-sex attraction and outraging the majority, in an age when homosexuality is not just accepted but ardently defended.

On the other hand, Christians should not be intimidated into silence. Any statement in line with the biblical teaching is bound to elicit an outcry and it takes prophetic courage to speak the truth.

What are we to make of the response?

Israel Folau has experienced severe criticism and been publicly condemned. Should anybody be treated like that? It is reminiscent of putting people in the stocks for public abuse. He has been called bigoted, intolerant, homophobic, nasty etc. etc. etc. His response shows that he is none of those things and has actively promoted gay rugby. He says [he] believes in inclusion.

Some people see the irony but it is lost on others. Those who are calling for inclusion and tolerance explicitly call for him to excluded and demonstrate their intolerance.

There are huge questions around freedom of speech and it seems that, for some, that means “You are free to express your opinion as long as you agree with me.” It is very clear that some believe that certain views should not be allowed in the public square. It is worrying when segments of society are so determined that other segments should not be heard and that only what is politically correct should be permitted. That is very obviously not freedom of speech.

Raelene Castle, the CEO of Rugby Australia, has said that this has been the most difficult situation of her career “and that's because there is no black and white answer. On one hand it's a human rights issue but on the other hand, you're dealing with freedom of speech. Someone is right to express their views - whether it be religious or otherwise - the test continues to be whether that's done in a respectful way.” At least she understands the tension.

This incident shows, yet again, that these are difficult days for Christians. God’s values are not what is currently politically correct and the reaction can be vicious. It requires of us great wisdom. Jesus was full of both grace and truth (John 1:14). We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Our conversation is to be always full of grace, seasoned with salt so that we may know how to answer anyone (Colossians 4:6). We are called to walk a tightrope.

And let us continue to pray for Israel and Maria Folau. Even if they might have done it better, they have shown that they are people of faith, integrity and huge courage. And they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Israel’s original post (James 1:2-4) is more relevant now than when he posted it.

Every year I keep telling myself to make sure I don’t get too busy leading up to Easter, so I can take time to really reflect on God’s gift of salvation to the world; and every year I find myself still rushing around and not taking time to have the quiet reflection that I want to honour Jesus with.

Yet, the Easter story itself has so much happening in it in such a short space of time. From Palm Sunday through to the resurrection, there appears to be every human emotion involved. If my gift of thanksgiving can’t always be in the form of quiet times with God, then let my busy-ness and the opportunities that God brings into my day, be my gift of thanksgiving to Him.

Easter is a time of reflection and celebration – individually and as a family of God. It is also a powerful opportunity to share the Good News to others in the community. This year we are blessed with a number of people preparing events to reflect and celebrate the Easter story. There are the various services throughout Easter, from Tenebrae service Thursday evening, the Walk of Witness Friday morning with other churches, the Easter Experience Friday and Saturday in the church and two services on the Sunday, to celebrate the Good news. Each of these events have been prepared for you to personally understand God’s love for you. Each of these events are also there as an opportunity to share the Easter message with others that God is calling to.

What has God got to tell you today? Is there an aspect of his message that you haven’t considered before? What opportunities might He have for you this Easter to share with others the Easter message.

In the preparations leading up to Easter I am reminded that “we are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.” (Ephesians 2: 21). He will use our busy days, He will use our willingness and He will use our words and actions to glorify His name.

Welcome!

The first post of St Andrew's Church Blog. A test post to see what it looks like. The Blog has been started to engage with the community connected through the internet. The views expressed here are of a more personal nature, and aren't necessarily the views of St Andrew's, its congregation or the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa.

I hope that the posts firstly and most importantly give glory to God the Father, His son Jesus Christ the Saviour and The Holy Spirit! I also hope that they encourage and inspire all individuals in the community to come to a lasting relationship with Jesus. In all posts and comments please remember: whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, [blog, comment and] think about these things. Phillipians 4:8.

Don't take what is written in these posts as 'gospel'. That might sound a bit of a paradox, but I would urge you to test the post's message with the Bible: 1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.