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以弗所书生命读经 · 第72篇

神对召会所完成的工作

God’s Accomplished Work Concerning the Church
1读经：以弗所书1:4-5,7,13-14,17-18;。
1Scripture Reading: Eph. 1:4-5, 7, 13-14, 17-18; 2:4-6, 8, 10, 13, 16; 3:16-17, 19; 4:4, 7, 12-13, 15-16, 23; 5:26, 29; 2:4-6, 8, 10, 13, 16; 3:16-17, 19; 4:4, 7, 6:11-13 12-13, 15-16, 23; 5:26, 29; 6:11-13
2在本篇信息中，我们要来看三十几点有关神对召会所完成的工作。这些点大部分是由以弗所书许多经节里的动词所表达的。
2In this message we shall consider more than thirty points related to God’s accomplished work concerning the church. Most of these points are expressed as verbs in various verses throughout the book of Ephesians
蒙拣选
CHOSEN
3保罗在以弗所一章四节说，『就如祂在创立世界以前，在基督里拣选了我们，使我们在爱里，在祂面前，成为圣别、没有瑕疵。』当神计画要有召会时，祂就在已过的永远里拣选了我们。我们在永远里被拣选的这个事实，表示我们的救恩开始于创立世界以前，并在时间以前。『拣选』一辞含示有些人蒙拣选，有些人不蒙拣选。赞美主，我们在蒙拣选的人中间！我们若转到我们的灵里，并在这件事上接触主，我们就会看见，神如何是永远的，祂拣选我们也照样是与永远有关的。
3In 1:4 Paul says, “ According as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blemish before Him, in love.” God chose us in eternity past, when He was forming His plan to have the church. The fact that we were chosen in eternity means that our salvation began before the foundation of the world and before time. The word chosen implies that some were selected and that others were not selected. Praise the Lord that we are among the chosen ones! If we turn to our spirit and contact the Lord regarding this matter, we shall realize that just as God is eternal, so His choosing of us was also related to eternity
被豫定
PREDESTINATED
4以弗所一章五节说，我们被豫定要得儿子的名分。豫定在原文的意思是豫先标出，事先标出。在永远里，神凭著祂的先见，把我们从这么多的人中标明出来。因为我们是在宇宙创造之前被标出的，所以我们无法逃避神。我们也许想要放弃祂，但祂不会放弃我们。神作在我们身上的，不是我们在时间里所起首的；乃是神在永远里所起首的。
4Ephesians 1:5 says that we have been predestinated unto sonship. The Greek word rendered predestinated means to be pre-marked, to be marked out beforehand. In eternity God, through His foresight, marked us out from among a vast number of people. Because we were marked out before the creation of the universe, we cannot escape from God. We may want to give Him up, but He will not give us up. What God is doing with us was not initiated by us in time; it was initiated by God in eternity
蒙爱
LOVED
5神拣选、豫定了我们之后，就在亚当里创造了我们。但是神所造的人堕落了。然而，神还是爱我们。保罗在二章四节说到神爱我们的大爱。甚至当我们死在过犯并罪之中，行事为人顺著空中掌权者的首领时，祂就爱5:25了我们。（二1～2。）保罗在五章二十五节说，基督爱召会，为召会舍了自己。所以，我们不只是蒙拣选、被豫定的人；我们也是蒙爱的人。
5After choosing and predestinating us, God created us in Adam. But the man created by God became fallen. Nevertheless, God still loved us. In 2:4 Paul speaks of the great love with which God loved us. He loved us even when we were dead in offenses and sins, when we were walking according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air (2:1-2). In Paul says that Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Therefore, we are not only the chosen and predestinated ones, but also the loved ones.
6圣经著重于我们堕落之后神对我们的爱，而不著重于我们堕落之前神对我们的爱。以弗所二章就是这事的证明。甚至我们成为悖逆之子后，神还是爱我们。我们的堕落使神有机会来爱。
6The Bible emphasizes God’s love for us after the fall, not before the fall. Ephesians 2 is proof of this. Even after we had become sons of disobedience, God nevertheless loved us . Our fall gave opportunity for God’s love
蒙召
CALLED
7在四章四节保罗说，我们蒙召，是在一个盼望中蒙召的。我们许多人知道我们蒙召的确定时间和地点。我仍然记得我蒙神呼召的那个下午。神临到我，施恩向我显现，并呼召了我。从我蒙召的那时起，我就被主抓住了。我们是被主抓住的人，我们无法逃离祂。我们也许试过，但就是逃不掉。即使我们暂时逃离祂，最终祂还是会把我们带回归祂自己。我们逃离不了主的事实，证明我们已经蒙祂呼召。
7In 4:4 Paul says that we were called in one hope of our calling. Many of us know the exact time and place of our calling. I can still remember the afternoon I was called by God. God came to me and granted me a gracious visitation, and He called me. From the time I was called, I was caught by the Lord. As those who have been caught by Him, we cannot run away from Him. Try as we may, we simply cannot do this. If we run from Him temporarily, He will eventually bring us back to Himself. The fact that we cannot run from the Lord proves that we have been called by Him
得蒙救赎
REDEEMED
8在一章七节保罗说到救赎，他说，『我们在这蒙爱者里面，藉著祂的血，照著神恩典的丰富，得蒙救赎，就是过犯得以赦免。』当神正在完成祂对召会的工作时，祂救赎了我们。
8In 1:7 Paul speaks of redemption, saying, “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of offenses, according to the riches of His grace.” As God was accomplishing His work concerning the church, He redeemed us
和好
RECONCILED
9神也使我们与祂和好。（二16。）我们需要和好，因为我们原是神的仇敌，并且背叛了祂。我们和神之间有了仇恨。但藉著主在十字架上的死，我们已经从堕落的光景中蒙拯救，并与神和好。赞美主，现今没有甚么能使我们与祂隔离！我们也许仍然软弱，但我们是在和好的光景里。我们与主交通时，我们是快乐的；但我们失去与主的接触时，我们就难过。然而，无论我们的感觉如何，我们总是与祂和好的。
9God has also reconciled us to Himself (2:16). We needed to be reconciled because we were God’s enemies and were in rebellion against Him. There was enmity between us and God. But through the Lord’s death on the cross, we have been saved from our fallen situation and reconciled to God. Praise the Lord that now there is nothing separating us from Him! We may still be weak, but we are in a reconciled condition. When we are in fellowship with the Lord, we are happy. But when we lose touch with the Lord, we are sad. But whatever our feelings, we nevertheless have been reconciled to Him
得救
SAVED
10保罗在二章八节告诉我们：『你们得救是靠著恩典，藉著信。』我们得救前可能享受某些属世的娱乐。但得救后，我们的口味自然而然的就改变了。你如果回到得救前所享受的那些事上，你会发觉这些事大不相同了。神的救恩造成了何等大的不同！
10In 2:8 Paul tells us that “by grace you have been saved through faith.” Before we were saved, we could enjoy certain worldly entertainments. But after we were saved, our tastes spontaneously changed. If you go back to those things you enjoyed before you were saved, you will find them very different. What a tremendous difference God’ss alvation makes!
蒙恩赐
GRACED
11在原文里，保罗在一章六节用恩典的动词说，神『在那蒙爱者里面所恩赐我们的』。神把我们摆在恩典的地位上，使我们成为神赐恩并恩宠的对象，就是使我们享受神之于我们的一切所是。有些译本说，神已恩宠我们。我们已在那蒙爱者里面蒙神恩赐，蒙神恩宠。
11Using a verbal form of the Greek word for grace, in 1:6 Paul says that God has “graced us in the Beloved.” He has put us into the position of grace that we may be the object of His grace and favor, that we may enjoy all that God is to us. Some versions say that God has favored us. We have been graced, favored, in the Beloved
活过来
MADE ALIVE
12我们在二章五节看见，神叫我们一同与基督活过来。我们是神的仇敌，需要与神和好；我们是迷失的，需要得救；此外，我们是死在过犯并罪之中的人，需要活过来。当我们呼求主耶稣的名，我们就藉著接受生命的灵而被点活。当基督进到我们里面时，祂是带著神圣的生命而来。这样，祂就使我们活过来。祂点活我们，是藉著在我们里面作生命。这点活我们的生命，包含生命的律、生命的感觉、生命的交通、和生命经历的其他各方面。
12In 2:5 we see that God has made us alive together with Christ. As those who were God’s enemies, we needed to be reconciled. As those who were lost, we needed to be saved. Moreover, as those who were dead in trespasses and sins, we needed to be made alive. When we called on the name of the Lord Jesus, we were enlivened by receiving the Spirit of life. When Christ came into us, He came with the divine life. In this way, He made us alive. He enlivens us by being the life within us. The life with which we are enlivened includes the law of life, the sense of life, the fellowship of life, and every other aspect of the experience of life
复活
RAISED UP
13在二章六节我们看见，我们已经在基督里一同复活。我们不仅死了，也埋葬了。因此神不仅叫我们活过来，也叫我们从死人中复活。赞美祂，我们已经从坟墓里复活了！
13In 2:6 we see that we have been raised up together in Christ. We were not only dead, but also buried. Therefore, God not only made us alive; He also raised us up from among the dead. Praise Him, we have been raised up from the grave
坐下
SEATED
14在二章六节我们也看见，神『又叫我们在基督耶稣里…一同坐在诸天界里』。许多基督徒等著上天堂，但我们已经在天上了。在基督里神使我们一次永远的一同坐在诸天界里。这是在基督升上诸天时完成的，现今藉著基督的灵应用到我们身上。今天我们藉著相信这已经完成的事实，就在经历中在我们灵里领悟这实际。我们若真实运用我们的灵，就会感觉我们是坐在诸天界里，往下观看地上的光景。但我们若运用我们天然的理解力，而不运用我们的灵，我们就会感觉是在地上。然而，照著圣经的启示，我们乃是与基督一同坐在诸天界里。
14In 2:6 we also see that God has “seated us together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus.” Many Christians are waiting to go to heaven, but we are already in heaven. In Christ God has seated us all together, once for all, in the heavenlies. This was accomplished when Christ ascended to the heavens, and it is applied to us by the Spirit of Christ. Today we realize in experience this reality in our spirit through faith in the accomplished fact. If we exercise our spirit in a genuine way, we shall have the sense that we are sitting in the heavenlies looking down at the situation on earth. However, if we exercise our natural reason instead of our spirit, we shall have the sense that we are on earth. Nevertheless, according to the revelation of the Scriptures, we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies
为神所买
PURCHASED
15在一章十四节说到，使神所买的产业得赎。新约启示神以重价，就是基督的宝血，买了我们。神为要得著我们，必须付这么高的代价。
15In 1:14 Paul speaks of the redemption of the acquired or purchased possession. The New Testament reveals that God has purchased us with a great price, the precious blood of Christ. In order to acquire us, God had to pay such a high price.
受了印记
SEALED
16以弗所一章十三节说，我们『受了所应许的圣灵为印记』。这节指明神已经印了我们；祂已把祂的印记印在我们身上。这个印记就是圣灵自己。神藉著基督的血买了我们之后，就印了我们。我们既受了印记，就带著一个记号，那就是神的形像。纵使我们会失败，变得污秽，但这个印记，这个标记，不会除去。
16Ephesians 1:13 says that we “were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise.” This verse indicates that God has sealed us; He has put His seal upon us. This seal is the Holy Spirit Himself. After we were purchased with the blood of Christ, God sealed us. Because we have been sealed, we bear a mark, the image of God. Although we may fail and become unclean, this seal, this mark, cannot he removed
成为产业
POSSESSED
17保罗在一章十四节说，我们成了神的所有物，成了祂所买的产业。神拥有我们。我们该认识我们是属祂的。
17In 1:14 Paul says that we have become God’s possession, His acquired possession. God possesses us. We should have the realization that we belong to Him
得了保证
GUARANTEED
18一面说，我们是神的；另一面说，祂是我们的。因著我们是祂的，我们受了印记为祂所有。因著祂是我们的，我们得了保证，祂是我们的分，我们的基业。我们的基业乃是神自己，与物质的东西无关。我们有圣灵作我们基业的保证、凭质、订金、抵押、豫尝和样本。
18On the one hand, we are God’s. On the other hand, He is ours. Because we are His, we are sealed and possessed by Him. Because He is ours, we have received the guarantee that He is our portion, our inheritance. Our inheritance has nothing to do with material things; it is God Himself. We have the Holy Spirit as the guarantee, pledge, down payment, deposit, foretaste, and sample, of our inheritance
被创造
CREATED
19以弗所二章十节说，『我们原是神的杰作，在基督耶稣里，为著…善良事工创造的。』这节不是说到第一个创造，乃是说到第二个创造，就是新人的创造。我们都一同被造，成为神的杰作，神的诗章。『杰作』原文的意思是作好的东西，手工，或写成的诗章。召会是神所写的一首诗章。宇宙中没有比召会更有意义的东西。召会这团体的新人，乃是神的杰作。
19Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” This verse does not speak of the first creation, but of the second creation, the creation of the new man. We all have been created together as God’s masterpiece, God’s poem. The Greek word rendered masterpiece means something which has been made, a handiwork, or something which has been written or composed as a poem. The church is a poem written by God. In the universe nothing is more meaningful than the church. The church, the corporate new man, is God’s masterpiece
20论到召会，以弗所书中用了三次『创造』这辞。除了用在二章十节，也用在二章十五节，那里说，基督废掉了那规条中诫命的律法，好把两下在祂自己里面，创造成一个新人。四章二十四节则告诉我们，这新人是照著神，在那实际的义和圣中所创造的。从人看，召会有许多短处和缺点；但从神永远的眼光看，召会是已完成的产品，是神作好的东西。神能喜乐并向祂的仇敌夸口：『撒但，不管你怎么作，我的工作已经完成了，我创造了一个新人。』在神眼中，召会已经建造成了。
20Concerning the church, the word created is used three times in Ephesians. In addition to 2:10, it is used in 2:15, which says that Christ abolished the law of the commandments in ordinances in order to create one new man. In 4:24 we are told that the new man was created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the truth. From a human point of view, there are many deficiencies and shortcomings in the church. But from God’s perspective in eternity, the church is a finished product, something already accomplished by God. God is happy and can boast to His enemy, “Satan, no matter how much you try to do, I have already accomplished My work. I have created the one new man.” In the eyes of God the church has already been built up.
得以亲近
BECOME NEAR
21以弗所二章十三节说，『但如今在基督耶稣里，你们这从前远离的人，靠著基督的血，已经得亲近了。』从前我们远离神，并且也彼此远离；但在基督耶稣里，神已经使我们得亲近了。我们得救、得亲近前，无法互称弟兄姊妹；但现今我们深深感觉，在基督里，我们比肉身的兄弟姊妹更亲近。
21Ephesians 2:13 says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near in the blood of Christ.” Once we were far off from God and from one another, but in Christ Jesus God has caused us to become near. Before we were saved and brought near, we could not speak of one another as brothers and sisters. But now we have the deep sense that in Christ we are closer to one another than we are to our brothers and sisters in the flesh
蒙光照
ENLIGHTENED
22现在我们继续来看一些从神看是已经完成，但从我们的经历看是仍在完成过程中的项目。首先是蒙光照。保罗在一章十八节说到光照我们的心眼，在五章十四节说到基督光照我们。就一面的意义说，神已经光照我们；但就另一面的意义说，我们仍然需要蒙光照。我们可能被某些事物遮住、蒙蔽了，因此我们需要转向光，好使光能照亮我们。我们若愿意蒙光照，就需要转到灵里。根据一章十七至十八节，光照与接受智慧和启示的灵，使我们充分的认识神有关。我们若留在天然的心思里，我们就在黑暗里；但我们如果转向重生的灵，我们就会蒙光照。
22Now let us go on to consider certain items which from God’s point of view have been accomplished, but from the standpoint of our experience are still in the process of being accomplished. The first is the matter of being enlightened. In 1:18 Paul speaks of the eyes of our heart being enlightened, and in 5:14, of Christ shining on us. In a sense, God has already enlightened us. But in another sense, we still need to be enlightened. We may be covered, veiled, by certain things, and need to turn to the light so that the light may shine on us. If we would be enlightened, we need to turn to the spirit. According to 1:17 and 18, enlightenment is related to receiving a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of God. If we stay in our natural mind, we shall be in darkness. But if we turn to our regenerated spirit, we shall be enlightened
23我关心那些在聚会中不敞开的人，这样的关闭就是在黑暗里。我们在聚会中必须敞开自己，为主说些话。当我们从思考转到灵里时，我们就蒙光照。我们站起来，基督就光照我们。我们站起来说话，光就照亮我们，我们就蒙光照。我们越蒙光照，就越经历神为我们所完成的工作。
23I am concerned for those who do not open themselves up in the meetings. To be closed in this way is to be in darkness. We need to open ourselves by uttering something for the Lord in the meetings. When we turn from our reasonings to the spirit, we are enlightened. We rise up, and Christ shines on us. As we stand up to speak, the light shines on us, and we are enlightened. The more we are enlightened, the more we experience the work God has accomplished concerning us
得加强
STRENGTHENED
24保罗在三章祈求，要我们能凭大能得加强到我们里面的人，就是我们有圣灵内住的重生之灵里。（16。）我们蒙光照的时候，就领会我们需要得加强到里面的人里。
24In chapter three Paul prayed that our inner man, our regenerated spirit indwelt by the Holy Spirit, would be strengthened with power (v. 16). When we are enlightened, we realize the need for our inner man to be strengthened
有基督内住
INDWELT
25我们需要得加强到里面的人里，使基督能安家在我们心里。（三17。）基督安家在我们里面，意思乃是我们有祂内住在里面。基督这活的人位，渴望住在我们里面，以祂自己充满我们里面的每一部分。我们里面的每一部分需要成为基督的家，使我们能完全被祂占有。
25Our inner man needs to be strengthened so that Christ may make His home in our hearts (3:17). For Christ to make His home in us means that we are indwelt by Him. Christ, the living Person, desires to dwell in us, to fill every part of our inward being with Himself. All of our inward parts need to be a home for Christ so that we may be fully occupied by Him
生根立基
ROOTED AND GROUNDED
26基督安家在我们里面时，我们就享受祂这无限量的爱。按照三章十七节的话，我们要『在爱里生根立基』。在基督里生根是为著长大，在祂里面立基是为著建造。
26When Christ makes His home in us, we shall enjoy Him as unlimited love. In the words of 3:17, we shall be “rooted and grounded in love.” We are rooted in Christ for growth, and we are grounded in Him for building
被充满
FILLED
27当我们得加强到里面的人里，当基督安家在我们心里，并且当我们在爱里生根立基时，我们就被充满，成为神一切的丰满。（三19。）我们乃是在我们的灵里，被充满成为神一切的丰满，成为祂的彰显。
27When we are strengthened into our inner man, when Christ makes His home in our hearts, and when we are rooted and grounded in love, we are filled unto all the fullness of God (3:19). It is in our spirit that we are filled unto all the fullness of the Triune God to become His expression
得恩赐
GIFTED
28保罗在四章七节说，『但恩典赐给我们各人，是照著基督恩赐的度量。』因为每个肢体都领受了恩典，所以每个肢体都是赐给基督身体的恩赐。无论我们多么微不足道，我们都是得恩赐的。不要以为彼得、雅各、约翰和保罗是得恩赐的，而你不是。我们既然都得了恩赐，就该在聚会中尽功用。许多时候长老说一些话，还不如别的圣徒说同样的话使人得帮助。神已经为我们完成了完全的工作。鉴于这样一个工作，我们应该学习尽功用。我们以上所说的这些点，使我们没有任何藉口不尽功用。这些奇妙的事，岂不都已为我们成就了么？我们已蒙拣选、被豫定、蒙爱、蒙召、得蒙救赎、与神和好、得救、蒙恩赐、活过来、复活、坐下、为神所买、受了印记、成为产业、得了保证、被创造、得以亲近、蒙光照、得加强、有基督内住、生根立基、并被充满。有了这一切，岂可能没有得著恩赐？这当然是不可能的。赞美主！我们都是得著恩赐的！
28In 4:7 Paul says, “But to each one of us was given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Because every member has received grace, every member is a gift to the Body of Christ. No matter how insignificant we may be, we all are gifted. Do not think that Peter, James, John, and Paul were gifted and that you are not. Since we all are gifted, we should all function in the meetings. Many times it is not as helpful for an elder to say a certain thing as it is for one of the other saints to say the same thing. God has accomplished a complete work for us. In view of such a work, we should learn to function. All the points we have covered thus far leave us without any excuse for not functioning. Is it not true that all these wonderful things have been accomplished for us? We have been chosen, predestinated, loved, called, redeemed, reconciled, saved, graced, made a live, raised up, seated, purchased, sealed, possessed, guaranteed, created, made near, enlightened, strengthened, indwelt, rooted, grounded, and filled. Is it possible to have all this without being gifted? Surely it is not possible. Praise the Lord, we all are gifted!
29我们已多次指出，主恨恶尼哥拉党人的行为。（启二6。）这意思是说，祂恨恶圣品阶级与平信徒的制度；在祂的眼中，那是可憎之物。然而，因著堕落基督教的影响，许多人仍然不在聚会中尽功用。为要除去这影响，我们都必须学习尽功用。
29We have pointed out a number of times that the Lord hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:6). This means that He hates the clergy-laity system, which is an abomination in His sight. Nevertheless, because of the influence of degraded Christianity, many still do not function in the meetings. In order to cast off this influence, we all must learn to function
被成全
PERFECTED
30保罗在以弗所四章十二节说到成全圣徒。成全，原文也可译为装备。我们这些有恩赐的人，乃是用我们的恩赐互相成全并装备。有些人也许争辩说，只有使徒、申言者、传福音者、牧人和教师能成全圣徒。然而十六节说到每一供应的节和每一部分依其度量而有的功用。我们都是身体的一部分。我们若尽功用，就会帮助别人被成全。此外，我们尽功用时，我们就是首先被成全的人。每次我供应话语时，我是头一个得著我尽职益处的人。我们都需要藉著尽功用来成全人，并被成全。如果你感觉你藉著尽功用得著成全，这指明别人也受了成全。愿我们都彼此成全。
30In 4:12 Paul goes on to speak of the perfecting of the saints. The Greek word translated perfecting may also be rendered equipping. As those who are gifted, we perfect and equip one another with our gifts. Some may argue that only the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherds and teachers can perfect the saints. Verse 16, however, speaks of every joint of supply and of the operation in the measure of each part. We all are parts of the Body. If we function, we shall help others to be perfected. In addition, as we function, we are the first to be perfected. Every time I minister the Word, I am the first to receive the benefit of my ministry. We all need to perfect others and to be perfected by functioning. If you have the sense that you have been perfected through functioning, that is an indication that others have been perfected also. May we all perfect one another
长大
GROWING UP
31被成全的结果，乃是我们长到基督里。（四15～16。）我们藉著彼此帮助在生命里长大，而彼此成全。成全圣徒就是藉著𫗪养来滋养他们。我能见证，我从圣徒们得著许多滋养；这滋养帮助我长大。
31The result of being perfected is that we grow up into Christ (4:15-16). We perfect one another by helping one another grow in life. To perfect the saints is to nourish them by feeding them. I can testify that I have received much nourishment from the saints. This nourishment has helped me to grow
联络一起
FITTED TOGETHER
32根据四章十六节，身体是联络在一起的。这是为著建造。我们与人联络在一起有多少，乃是根据我们的成全和长大有多少。我们是藉著滋养而长大；我们也是藉著长大而与众圣徒联络在一起。
32According to 4:16, the Body is fitted together. This is for building. How much we have been fitted together with others depends on our perfection and growth. Through nourishment we grow, and through growth we are fitted together with the saints
结合一起
KNIT TOGETHER
33不仅如此，我们在四章十六节也看见，我们是结合在一起的。这与联络很有关系。然而，结合强调连接的一面。我们需要彼此相连。当我们联络、结合在一起，我们就得了建造。我们一旦被建造在召会生活里，就很难离开召会。这与参加宗派全然不同。我们不是参加召会，我们乃是被建造在其中。凡建造到召会的人是拉不开，也推不倒的。
33Furthermore, in 4:16 we see that we are knit together. This is closely related to the matter of fitting. However, it emphasizes the aspect of attachment. We need to be attached to one another. As we are fitted and knit together, we are built up. Once we have been built up in the church life, it will be very difficult for us to leave the church. This is altogether different from joining a denomination. We do not join the church; we are built into it. Those who have been built into the church can be neither pulled out nor pushed out.
得以更新
RENEWED
34以弗所四章二十三节说到『在你们心思的灵里得以更新』。我们都需要得以更新。我们需要排除旧的元素，使新的元素作到我们里面。旧元素，就是亚当的元素，要被排除；永远的元素，就是基督的元素，要加进来取而代之。
34Ephesians 4:23 speaks of being “renewed in the spirit of your mind.” We all need to be renewed. We need to have the old element discharged, and a new element wrought into us. The old element, the element of Adam, is discharged, and the eternal element, the element of Christ, is added to take its place
被圣化
SANCTIFIED
35根据五章二十六节，基督一直在圣化召会。圣化就是让神的性情作到我们人的性情里。我们可以再用泡茶作例子：当茶加到水里，水就被『茶化』。同样的原则，当神圣的元素加到我们里面，我们就被圣化了。基督是属天的『茶』，作到我们里面。圣化不是指我们穿那一种衣服，或把头发梳成甚么特别的样子。那只是外面的改正或改良。我不是赞成长发或短发，我乃是赞成圣化的头发。当神的元素作到我们里面，我们就真正被圣化了。
35According to 5:26, Christ is sanctifying the church. To be sanctified is to have the divine nature wrought into our human nature. Once again we may use the illustration of making tea. When tea is added to water, the water is “tea- ified.” In the same principle, when the divine element is added to us, we are sanctified. Christ as the heavenly “tea” is wrought into us. To be sanctified does not mean that we wear certain kinds of clothes or style our hair in a particular way. That is mere outward correction or adjustment. I am not for long hair or for short hair, but for sanctified hair. When the element of God is worked into our being, we are truly sanctified
被洁净
CLEANSED
36在五章二十六节我们看见，基督藉著话中之水的洗涤洁净召会。这样的洗涤，洗去我们老旧造成的皱纹和伤痕造成的斑点。这洁净乃是新陈代谢的洁净，就是新元素加进来，顶替排除出去的旧元素。
36In 5:26 we see that Christ is cleansing the church by the washing of the water in the Word. Such a washing cleanses us from wrinkles caused by oldness and from spots caused by wounds. This cleansing is a metabolic cleansing, a cleansing in which a new element is added to replace the old element that is being discharged
得著保养和顾惜
NOURISHED AND CHERISHED
37保罗在五章二十九节指出，基督也保养顾惜召会。保养是𫗪养；顾惜是以柔爱养育，并以亲切的照料维护。母亲用健康的食物𫗪养孩子，以保养孩子。她也在爱里怀抱孩子，以顾惜孩子。基督顾惜我们，我们就得著温暖、被软化、并得安慰，就像孩子因母亲爱的怀抱而得舒畅。
37In 5:29 Paul points out that Christ is also nourishing and cherishing the church. To nourish is to feed, and to cherish is to nurture with tender love and foster with tender care. A mother nourishes her child by feeding the child healthy food. She also cherishes her child by embracing the little one in love. As we are cherished by Christ, we are warmed, softened, and comforted, just as a child is soothed by the loving embrace of the mother.
穿戴军装
ARMORED
38最后，根据六章十一和十三节，我们需要穿戴军装。这是指我们穿上神的军装，好站住抵挡魔鬼的诡计。穿戴军装是武装起来为著应战。我们穿上神全副的军装而武装起来，就成为神的军队，为著神的定旨和神的国争战。我们若要有正当的召会生活，就需要经历本篇信息中所说神工作的各面。我们需要为这些项目祷告，祷读有关的经节，直到这些项目成为我们的实际。但愿我们运用灵，应用神对召会之工作的每一面。
38Finally, according to 6:11 and 13, we need to be armored. This means that we put on the armor of God in order to stand against the stratagems of the Devil. To be armored is to be armed for warfare. As we are armed with the whole armor of God, we become God’s army to fight the battle for God’s purpose and for His kingdom. If we would have the proper church life, we need to experience every aspect of God’s work covered in this message. We need to pray concerning all these items, pray-reading the verses that speak of them, until they become our reality. May we exercise our spirit to apply all the aspects of God’s work concerning the church.