We keep unity by being united in the Spirit.

圣灵在我们心里，使我们能合一。

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

用和平彼此联络，竭力保守圣灵所赐合而为一的心。-以弗所书4章3节

Seeing three large predatory animals cuddle and play together is extremely unusual. Yet this is precisely what happens daily in an animal sanctuary in Georgia. In 2001, after months of neglect and abuse, a lion, a Bengal tiger, and a black bear were rescued by Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary. “We could have separated them,” said the assistant director. “But since they came as a kind of family, we decided to keep them together.” The trio had found comfort in each other during their time of mistreatment, and, despite their differences, they live peacefully together.

三只不同种类的大型掠食动物相依相偎、一起玩闹，真是罕见的景象，但这正是在乔治亚州一处动物保护区内，每天都会看到的一幕。在2001年，一只狮子、一只孟加拉虎，以及一只黑熊，在遭受数个月的疏忽与虐待后，被挪亚方舟动物庇护所营救。该机构的副主任说：“我们当然可以把它们分开，但它们被送来时就亲密如一家三口，因此我们决定将它们安置在同一个地方。”这三只动物在受虐期间相互安慰，即使它们有许多不同之处，但依然和睦相处。

Unity is a beautiful thing. But the unity Paul wrote about in his letter to the believers in Ephesus is unique. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to live up to their calling as members of one body in Christ (Eph. 4:4–5). By the power of the Holy Spirit they would be able to live in unity as they developed humility, gentleness, and patience. These attitudes also allow us to lovingly bear “with one another in love” through the common ground we have in Christ Jesus (4:2).

合一是件美事。但在保罗写给以弗所教会的书信中所说的合一，有其独特的意思。保罗鼓励以弗所的信徒在基督里成为一个身体，好与蒙召的恩相称（以弗所书4章4-5节）。信徒靠着圣灵的能力，学习谦卑、温柔和忍耐，便能合而为一。这样的态度使我们得以“用爱心互相宽容”，因为知道我们都同在基督耶稣里（4章2节）。

Despite our differences, as members of the family of God we have been reconciled to Him through the death of our Savior and reconciled to each other through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

我们虽然有许多不同之处，但都是上帝家中的一员。我们藉着救主耶稣的死，与上帝和好；透过圣灵在我们生命里的作为，我们能与人和好，彼此和睦。

Heavenly Father, help me to grow in 

gentleness and patience toward others. 

Show me how to love others, 

even when we may have differences.

天父，求祢帮助我，

使我能以温柔忍耐待人。

 让我知道如何爱别人，

即使我们有许多不同之处。

Ephesians 4:1-6 

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one bodyand one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all,who is over all and through all and in all.

以弗所书 4:1-6 

劝门徒合而为一

4 我为主被囚的劝你们：既然蒙召，行事为人就当与蒙召的恩相称， 2 凡事谦虚、温柔、忍耐，用爱心互相宽容， 3 用和平彼此联络，竭力保守圣灵所赐合而为一的心。 4 身体只有一个，圣灵只有一个，正如你们蒙召同有一个指望； 5 一主，一信，一洗， 6 一神，就是众人的父，超乎众人之上，贯乎众人之中，也住在众人之内。

整理：于姊妹