Live in harmony

By: Alistair Begg – November 3, 2026. Live in harmony with one another. – Romans 12: 16.

Key points

• Enrollment at Mississippi's public universities declined slightly between 2025 and 2026 school years.
• What to know before you go to the polls: Magnolia Tribune Midterm Voter Information Guide.
• 11 Texas want to keep momentum going against a Mississippi State team missing Taylor.
• Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975.
• 'Hail, Dear Old' State!' meant something quite special to the late Dr.

It requires skill and godliness to disagree graciously. It's straightforward to secure along with individuals with whom we share everything in common, where there is no concern concerning disagreement. But to live in harmony with individuals who look different and live differently than we do-that is a true sign of Christian maturity. So the expectation of the apostle Paul is that as Christians we will create the effort to do just that.

Paul's call toward harmony is not a call toward a type of uniformity, where we all dress the same, act the same, vote the same, and talk the same. Indeed, the church in Rome was most certainly a varied group of individuals, diverse in background and in gifting. Paul emphasized that these differences were not to become a source of division or shame.

As the King James Version renders this verse, Paul wanted the Roman church to "be of the same mind one toward another." In just the same way, he appealed to the Corinthians, "by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1: 10).

Notably, the gospel does not erase our distinctions or our disagreements. In fact, the unity that God's individuals share in the main things-the gospel of Christ and the truth of His word-frees us to acknowledge our distinctions and disagreements on secondary matters. Christian unity does not lie ultimately in our politics, our social status, or what color we think the carpet should be, but in the one whom we know to be "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14: 6).

Sadly, churches can be distracted by their disagreements, and Christians can elevate their personal reservations and preferences too highly. Some of us create every problem into one to divide over, and so we become legalists, splitting hairs and never happy until we are in a church of one. Some of us find it hard to create any problem one we will stand on and not compromise over, and so we become theological liberals, letting central gospel truths become negotiable. The harmony Paul calls us to contend for is gospel harmony. We need to know ourselves well enough to discern whether we are prone to be legalists or liberals. We need to ask God to grant us clarity of mind and charity of heart toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. And then we need to take a moment to examine our hearts to see if there is anyone with whom we are not in accord and take steps to promote, and not corrode, the gospel harmony that Christ died to bring us into.

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 October 30, 2026.

Once God's grace has laid hold of us and we have been transformed by Christ and received His righteousness by faith, we must apply that righteousness to our living. More From This Author. Faith Alistair Begg October 29, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg October 28, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg October 27, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg November 2, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg October 26, 2026.

Whatever our gifts may be-be they abilities to do with speaking or with serving-they are given for the well-being of the church. Faith Alistair Begg October 23, 2026. Together is where we belong.

Church is not a place for you merely to show up at and attend. It is a body. It is your kin-your family. News Jeremy Pittari November 2, 2026.

Enrollment at Mississippi's public universities declined slightly between 2025 and 2026 school years. News Jeremy Pittari November 2, 2026.

PEER report points to VitalCore staffing shortages, inconsistent reporting in Mississippi inmate healthcare. News Frank Corder November 2, 2026.

What to know before you go to the polls: Magnolia Tribune Midterm Voter Information Guide. Business Meredith Biesinger October 22, 2026. New Albany's claim to cake fame: Sugaree's Bakery. Business Frank Corder October 20, 2026. Fairbanks Morse Defense doubling manufacturing capacity at its Pascagoula facility. Business Cass Rutledge October 20, 2026. Lumber manufacturer investing $8.3 million in Macon expansion. Culture Robert St. John November 2, 2026. The table keeps getting bigger. Culture Matt Friedeman November 1, 2026. Beware what you love; you become your object of affection. Culture Jim Vertuno, Associated Press October 30, 2026.

Manning and No. 11 Texas want to keep momentum going against a Mississippi State team missing Taylor. Opinion Russ Latino November 2, 2026. If Republicans stay home Tuesday, Mississippi's Senate race could obtain interesting. Opinion Roger Wicker October 30, 2026. Honoring Mississippi's role in American history. Opinion Sid Salter October 28, 2026.

'Hail, Dear Old' State!' meant something quite special to the late Dr. Richard E. Holmes.

For now, live in harmony remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.