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LET’S SEEK TO COMPLEMENT
1 Corinthians 11:1-16

“Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.”‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:11‬ ‭NIV


I wonder if the Corinthians in fact was the reflection of our church today! Since the inception of the church, it seems that Christians like to quarrel on trivial issues. In this case, head-covering and hairstyle for women in worship. Which thankfully most churches believe this was an cultural issue and was not an issue for us anymore.
After his missionary experience in Georgia amongst the red Indian, John Wesley realised he could not apply the liturgy and worship style of the church of England in to the Indian. In his sermon, The Catholic Spirit, he quoted St. Augustine, saying: “In essentials, unity. Non-essentials, liberty. In everything, charity.” Liturgy is important but isn’t the essential part compared to the heart of worship, that’s to lead people to encounter the Living God so we can give our highest praise and adoration to our Mighty God. 
Most churches are happy to ignore the head-covering issue but some try to hold on the hierarchy between men and women (8-10). And in verse 11, Paul did emphasise that both man and woman complement each other. Yet we tend to focus on ‘the status part’ rather than ‘the mutuality.’ In Ephesians 5, Paul also highlighted the intricate relationship between husband-and-wife, like the head and the neck, one can’t function without the other. 
I wonder, the issues in this chapter might reflect the power struggle within us? Adam claimed to be equal with God? Cain hoped to be more important than his brother? And so on ...
I wonder, if this man-woman issue is so essential would Jesus have forgotten to teach His disciples? Instead as a rule, He told us, “whoever wants to become great, they must serve others.” (Mat 20:26)
It takes more efforts and greater creativity to complement each other than to somehow overrule one another! But true beauty and shalom happen only when each of us use our God’s given gifts and talents to complement and bless each other, not overruling. 
Our Triune God gives the best example in the way they relate to the other Person of the Trinity—they don’t claim to be more important than the other (John 14-16).
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Romans 15:5-6
~plt080218

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