[Victor Kubik] Hello everyone. By now, most of you have heard that on Friday, June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its long-anticipated decision about what the status of same-sex marriage is to be in the United States.

In a close 5-4 decision that court found that same sex marriage is a “Fundamental Right,” which that court has now imposed as a 50-state same-sex marriage mandate.

While there is still some uncertainty regarding the full ramifications of that decision and its future legal impact on the Church and people of faith who believe in the Biblical definition of marriage, the ruling of the Supreme Court will never change the truth about marriage.

Based upon Holy Scriptures the United Church of God believes and teaches that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, exclusive of all others. After creating humans male and female in his image God ordained and established the institution of marriage. He commanded the man to leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife and the two shall be one. (Genesis 1:27 Genesis 1:27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
American King James Version×; Genesis 2:24 Genesis 2:24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall join to his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
American King James Version×). Marriage is thus a divine institution and a natural union. What God has joined together let no man put asunder. (Matthew 19:6 Matthew 19:6Why they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.
American King James Version×). Any other teaching, and/or practice, is in direct conflict with Holy Scripture.

We further believe and affirm the New Testament statements that the God ordained institution of marriage reflects the spiritual relationship between Jesus Christ and His bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:22-32 Ephesians 5:22-32 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
American King James Version×; Revelation 19:7 Revelation 19:7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.
American King James Version×). We teach these imperative biblical instructions to all people in a manner consistent with God’s love and desire for all humanity to acknowledge Him as the guiding presence in their lives.
Any attempt to redefine marriage other than between a man and a woman by law, and/or judicial decree, of any nation cannot be recognized as incumbent upon human beings. The apostle Peter’s words give God’s inspired instruction in such matters: “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29 Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
American King James Version×) Christians are explicitly instructed by Scripture to fully honor governmental persons, laws and authority other than when man’s law conflicts with the laws of the Supreme Court of Heaven (Romans 13:1 Romans 13:1Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
American King James Version×). Therefore we honor and abide within the design and intent of the God-given marital relationship between a man and a woman, while seeking to live at peace with all people.

That understanding represents the unique opportunity before us. Jesus Christ, the Savior for all of humanity, declared that we are to be an example to the world. Marriage between man and woman represents part of that example. A marriage based on biblical principles naturally produces offspring (Genesis 1:27 Genesis 1:27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
American King James Version×). Biblical marriage offers an opportunity for flawed human beings to learn more about God and His relationship with us. As illustrated in Ephesians 5, marriage was designed by God to have a profound purpose.  It illustrates the mystery of the relationship between Jesus and the Church (biblically referred to as His bride).

Therefore, in the days to come we embrace the instruction of the apostle Peter, who tells us to “be prepared to give an answer to everyone … but do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
American King James Version×, New International Version). The Bible also tells us to “Cry aloud, spare not … tell My people their transgression” (Isaiah 58:1 Isaiah 58:1Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
American King James Version×). The United Church of God continues to proclaim God’s truth through our many media efforts, through our ministers and, yes, through the example of our members and those who fellowship with us.

As Christians, let us seize this opportunity before us to demonstrate the love of God in our lives. Let us yield to God and humbly follow the biblical example of marriage between man and woman alone.