Australian rugby star Samu Kerevi has said he will not apologise for his Christian faith after a number of fans questioned him for posting an Easter message which said, “I love you, Jesus.”

Kerevi, captain of the Queensland Reds, shared the message on his personal Instagram account which read: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.”

“Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for me. I love you Jesus,” he added.

Some fans criticised Kerevi’s message, suggesting he should profess his love and respect for “gay kids and adults”, especially in light of the controversy involving Israel Folau.

Following the post, numerous articles were published suggesting Kerevi felt compelled to apologise for his Easter message.

Queensland Reds and Wallabies hooker Taniela Tupou took to Facebook in support of his Kerevi saying: “Seriously. Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs. I will never apologise for my faith and what I believe in. Religion [has] nothing to do with rugby anyways.”

Kerevi then took to Instagram clarifying that he was not apologising for his faith in Jesus Christ.

“I appreciate the kind messages from everyone,” Kerevi wrote. “But to be clear I’m not apologising for my faith in Jesus Christ my Saviour.”

“God will always come first in my life and many other professional rugby players,” he added. “Today, I felt things were taken out of context in regards to certain articles.”

“I do not feel obliged to apologise to people because of the situation happening right now with a brother of mine. I apologised to people who may not know God and have no understanding of my post-game interview after a rugby match in South Africa.”

Kerevi went on to say as a Christian he cannot pick and choose what he believes. “If God puts something in my heart to share, I will share it,” he said.

“Some truths in the Bible (my belief) may not be nice to hear. But I can’t take the good and not hear the hard truths that God has given in his Word.”

Kerevi went on to say that he hoped his message would find many people and that they would take it in kindness and love.

“I love all people in their different walks of life. But my God will always come first. He loves you and wants you to come to him, if you choose not to, that is your decision, but in my beliefs there are consequences,” he added.

Well done to those who will boldly take a stand when doing so has already cost others their career.