Israel Folau breaks down about Australia's bush fires months after claiming the fires were 'God's punishment' for gay marriage

Israel Folau had initially suggested the fires were a punishment from God for legalising same-sex marriage and abortion. Photo / Facebook

Months after Israel Folau disturbingly linked the Australian bush fire crisis to God's punishment for legalising gay marriage, the former Wallabies star has had a change of heart.

Folau broke down in tears at the Church of Jesus Christ in Sydney when speaking about the bush fires after previously telling worshippers that the fires were a result of God's same-sex punishment.

The long sermon Folau shared on Sunday showed him tearfully begging people to turn to God to help during this crisis.

"We look around, we see certain things that are happening around the world. Famines, earthquakes, wars, rumours of wars," Folau said as he took multiple breaks to wipe his eyes.

"Look at this country here and all these devastating bush fires that have happened. I see on the news there are a lot of people out there saying all the things that they've lost and it's been a tragic event for this country".

"I see people saying that they've never prayed so hard in their life... why does it take something so devastating like the bush fires for people to humble themselves and get down on their knees and ask God for help?" Folau continued.

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Missing huspan 💗

A post shared by MARIA FOLAU (@mariatutaia) on Jan 13, 2019 at 11:31pm PST

This emotional outbreak shocked worshippers who had seen Folau two months earlier suggest that the fires and drought were a punishment from God for legalising same-sex marriage and abortion.

"They've legalised same-sex marriage... Going against the laws that God says," Folau said in footage posted to The Truth of Jesus Christ Church's Facebook page.

"Look how rapid these bushfires, these droughts, all these things they've come in a short period of time – you think it's a coincidence?"

The 30-year-old continued that same-sex marriage and abortion were "evil in the eyes of God".

Folau's contract with the Wallabies was terminated after a disturbing social media post in April last year. The ex-footy player still says he has no regrets over the post.

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Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30 KJV _______________

A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT