Discord and division

By: Alistair Begg – September 23, 2026.

Key points

• Trump administration to remove 760, 000 Affordable Care Act enrollees over fraud claims.
• A Mississippi culinary-themed float will parade through Pasadena in the 2027 Rose Parade.
• General Atomics confirmed second expansion this year, bringing 125 more jobs to Shannon.
• The house that stone built: The story of the Purvis Rock House.
• You must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They remarked to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." It is these who cause divisions, worldly residents, devoid of the Spirit. – Jude 1: 17-19.

Individuals seeking to cause division were not unique to the first-century church; they have been alive and well throughout the church's history. Jude's instruction here is therefore as practical for us today as it was for the believers to whom he first wrote.

Those causing division in the early church shared in a harmful combination of moral and doctrinal error. They were devoid of the Spirit, promoting sensuality and "following their own sinful desires" (Jude 16), yet they had somehow managed to creep in among God's individuals. Jude describes them as "hidden reefs" (v 12). It lie just far enough below the water's surface to go undetected and yet are capable of wreaking absolute havoc if any vessel runs into them. Indeed, those reefs are capable of sinking that vessel.

In response to these charlatans, Jude pressed his fellow believers not to forget "the predictions of the apostles, " who had cautioned that "in the last time"-the time between the ascension and the return of the Lord-there would be those who scoffed at the teaching of Christ and His chosen apostles and who tolerated or even promoted behavior driven by our desires. In God's providence, the early church was forewarned so as not to be caught off guard by those who in this way would cause divisions-and so, indeed, are we.

Yet God's word doesn't just call us to be on the lookout for those who create discord and division; it additionally directs us to agreement mercifully with those struggling with genuine doubt. We are to "have mercy on those who doubt" and "save others by snatching them out of the fire" of error and sin (Jude 22-23), even as we resist the teaching and intends of false teachers. Maintaining such a balance is quite a challenge! And yet Jude does not shy away from the exhortation. Believers who are secure in their faith and doctrine are called to restore the fallen in a spirit of gentleness (see Galatians 6: 1) and to intervene in the lives of those who are playing with fire.

Since God has saved and kept you, you are called to be alert to danger and pull others out of the flame, boldly but gently. And you are called to keep yourself in the love of God and to pray diligently (Jude 20), that you would be able to spot error and resist those who would divide God's church. Then you will be able to stand with your brothers and sisters and say with Jude, "To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen" (v 25).

Regarding the Author(s).

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. After graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written a number of books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. His Daily Devotionals are presented here via a syndication agreement. Faith Alistair Begg September 21, 2026.

Do not allow your circumstances, nevertheless daunting they may be, to lessen your obedience or cause you to call God's promises into question. More From This Author. Faith Alistair Begg September 18, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg September 17, 2026. Casting all your cares. Faith Alistair Begg September 16, 2026. I want to see. Faith Alistair Begg September 22, 2026. Faith Matt Friedeman September 20, 2026. What football can teach us regarding discipleship.

Community is essential; the gridiron knows that as well as the Church. Faith Alistair Begg September 15, 2026.

Outside of Jesus Christ, men and women are "dead" in their trespasses and sins. News Fatima Hussein, Associated Press September 22, 2026.

Trump administration to remove 760, 000 Affordable Care Act enrollees over fraud claims. News Frank Corder September 22, 2026.

Boyanton swipes at Ezell over campaign contributions. Ezell's camp calls it "a political stunt". News Jeremy Pittari September 22, 2026. State Auditor seeks details on cyberattacks at UMMC, IHL. Business Cass Rutledge September 18, 2026. Industrial Timber expanding its Ripley operations with $2.6 million investment. Business Frank Corder September 15, 2026. Hitachi Energy brings largest U.S. Investment to date to Mississippi. Business Frank Corder September 10, 2026.

General Atomics confirmed second expansion this year, bringing 125 more jobs to Shannon. Culture Frank Corder September 22, 2026.

In practice, a Mississippi culinary-themed float will parade through Pasadena in the 2027 Rose Parade. Culture Meredith Biesinger September 22, 2026.

Meanwhile, the house that stone built: The story of the Purvis Rock House. Culture Clara Turnage September 21, 2026. Student-athletes report need for suicide prevention, training. Opinion Bill Cork September 22, 2026. For context, the states winning investment are the states ready to deliver. Opinion Lesley Davis September 21, 2026. The war on women's spaces has reached the sorority house. Opinion Sid Salter September 16, 2026.

Despite plenty of statutory protections, there is no clear constitutional right to clean water.

In short, discord and division is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.