A Response to the Supreme Court's Decision on Same-Sex Marriage:

 The ruling does not end the institution of marriage from GOD’s perspective:

ü  In the book of Genesis, we read that God in the beginning created first a man (Adam) to exercise dominion over his creation and subsequently a woman (Eve) as the man's "suitable helper" (Genesis 2:18, 20). Then, the inspired writer remarks, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24 ESV). This verse sets forth the biblical pattern as it was instituted by God at the beginning: one man is united to one woman in matrimony, and the two form one new natural family. In this regard, "become one flesh" not only refers to the establishment of one new family but also to the husband and wife's sexual union leading to the procreation of offspring. This, in turn, is in keeping with God's original command to the first human couple to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion" over all of creation (Genesis 1:28).

ü  Marriage is not merely a human agreement between two consenting individuals (a "civil union"); it is a relationship before and under God (Genesis 2:22).

ü  JESUS taught this same truth – Matthew 19:4-6.

ü  Other Scriptures:  Ephesians 7:1-6 – 1 Corinthians 7:2-4 – Ephesians 5:21-31 – Colossians 3:18.

·         GOD is still in control.  GOD was not surprised nor shocked.  I believe GOD will use this to bring about His purposes for His people (Genesis 50:19-21).  GOD is calling us to repent of religious performance & to enter into authentic relationship with Him (James 1:26-27; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Hosea 6:6). 

·         How must we respond:

ü  The Church needs to repent.  While many of the rumors about divorce among Christians being higher or equal to the rest of the culture are not found to be true, a large portion of those in the Church have very poor marriages & families.  We must repent of our own sexual immorality.  We must repent of our own spiritual harlotry (see the book of Hosea).

ü  Let us respond as JESUS did to those who hated Him:

Ø  Loving your enemy -- Matthew 5:43-48.

Ø  Forgiving others – Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 23:34; 1 Peter 2:21-23; 1 Corinthians 13:5.

Ø  He was kind & showed mercy to those whom the religious world condemned – Luke 15:1-2; John 4; John 8.

ü  Let us respond as our brothers & sisters of Emanuel Church in Charleston, SC, who expressed forgiveness toward Dylan Roof, the young man who murdered their loved ones.  This is a powerful testimony to the entire world.

ü  Fully trust & rest in the authentic Gospel of JESUS and the convicting work of HOLY SPIRIT rather than using worldly methods void of GOD’s power to confront our culture (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18).  JESUS strongly proclaimed that He is “the Rock” upon which His Church will be built & the truth of His love & redeeming work is more powerful than the very gates of hades & more powerful than all the enemies of GOD (Matthew 16:13-19).  Paul taught that the authentic Gospel of JESUS is the power of GOD unto salvation (Romans 1:16); not fighting against other men & women who are also created in His image & who are image bearers though possibly blinded by the enemy.  Paul taught that “it’s the kindness of GOD that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).  Proverbs teaches, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

Conclusion:  I truly believe the LORD may be squeezing His people in order that we would come to repentance to stop trusting in our flesh and to stop trusting in worldly methods in our efforts to build His Church and in our efforts to confront a lost & unbelieving culture.  Why would we expect an unbelieving world to embrace Biblical truth?  I am hopeful and excited that GOD is working out His redemptive plan among His people.  We will not compromise our strong conviction on GOD’s word as absolute truth for all people for all times.  We will not compromise our faith in the belief that GOD has not been surprised nor shaken by the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage on June 26, 2015.  We will continue to believe that GOD is at work redeeming His people.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD.  He was in the beginning with GOD.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5).