Reflections on 1 Corinthians 11:16
“If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.” (1 Corinthians 11:16, NIV)
“Please don’t waste time arguing about this; this is the only healthy way to live, and that’s how all the churches of God understand it.” (The Remedy)
Paul closes the matter simply: if anyone wants to argue, we have no other practice.
The strongest point to understand is that new truth needs to be accepted in your own heart and mind. You cannot accept it for someone else. Settle it between yourself and God, and allow those you have influence over to see the example you set, but also to settle it for themselves.
Choosing the best way to live, for the happiest life here and eternal life to come, only makes sense. There are always those who will resist new knowledge, anything that changes or affects the way they have always done things. It is good to shake up your routine every so often; change is a good thing. You have an opportunity to create new habits which protect and grow your mind. You will have the chance to learn something new, dig into the reasons for the change, and discover even more about the Love of God and His natural laws. There are really no downsides to learning something new and embracing new things.
Wisdom must always be your guide. If you spend time with the Lord daily and plan your life around blessing others, then the new knowledge will easily fall into place in your life. You are already living with the angels, eating the food of heaven, the spiritual food the Lord provides each day; this is only a normal part of your life.
People new to the faith will still be learning how to live a life of faith centered on caring for others, ensuring you care well for yourself and your family, and unlearning old, useless habits that are no longer needed. All those things we did to protect ourselves or try to hide ourselves from God are outdated ways of coping that we no longer need.
The coverings we make for ourselves are often temporary and useless for the long haul. Adam and Eve, making their clothing out of fig leaves, were only temporarily covering themselves (Genesis 3:7). God gave them lasting clothes (Genesis 3:21) and the understanding of how to clothe themselves for the rest of their lives. His fix was one that worked indefinitely, as long as it needed to be done. Often what we do for ourselves is a temporary fix to stop the pain or embarrassment of the moment, not a long-term fix to heal the underlying cause or completely eradicate the need.
The life lived with Christ at its center is open, ready to be of service, but at the same time wise to know what service is best for each person in your life. The life of faith does not make you a powder puff, but a loving, kind, but wise and prudent person, a well-rounded personality who can be relied on.
There is no need to argue a point of truth with anyone. Settle it in your heart between yourself and God, then live your life, happy and content. Life is good—you are in His care.
