Hello! I am Jon Paulien and I’m glad you came to this page to check out my work. I am a New Testament scholar and Professor of Religion at Loma Linda University. On this website you will find a collection of my articles, commentary on Revelation, and links to my blog, videos, and other resources. Make sure you check the articles link above regularly to see the latest postings. In my hand above is an exact replica of p52, the earliest extant New Testament manuscript fragment, containing portions of John, chapter 18. Centered above my head is a replica of ancient Greek pottery. At either end above are two sets of books from, and about, my favorite spiritual author, Ellen G. White. I hope you enjoy the site.
Daily Devotional For February 5, 2026
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I know your works, even your labor and your patience, and that you are not able to endure evil people. You have also tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be liars. You also have patience and endure hardship because of my name and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Rev 2:2-4.
In this passage we see Jesus’ analysis of the church at Ephesus. He has a number of positive things to say about it. It is an energetic church that knows how to work (v.2). It is a patient church that endures without getting weary (v.2-3). It has discernment and is doctrinally sound (v.2 and 6). It is interested in truth and does not want to see falsehood gain entry into the church. It would be easy to get excited about this very effective church, but there’s one small problem: the church is backsliding in love (v.4).
There are many paradoxes in the Christian life and paradoxes can be hard to maintain. On one hand, there is the call to be faithful, energetic, discerning, and doctrinally sound. On the other hand, there is the call to be masterful in love. This is a difficult tension to keep in balance. Checking someone out to see if they are doctrinally sound at the same time we are trying to love them can be hard to do. The desire for sound doctrine and decisive action often leads to the loss of mutual love, which is the badge of discipleship. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35, NIV.
It reminds me of a story that Martin Luther told about drunken peasants. He would ask people, “Do you know what happens when you put a drunken peasant on a horse? The one thing you know for sure is that he is going to fall off the horse! What you don’t know is whether he will fall off the horse to the right or the left!” Luther felt that Christians are often like drunken peasants on a horse. We have a hard time keeping our balance between the gospel of free acceptance, on the one hand, and keeping the commandments, on the other. Luther felt that every time he preached the gospel, the people forgot to obey. And every time he preached obedience, they forgot the gospel.
I find that true in my own experience. When I emphasize love and the gospel, obedience seems a little less important. I find encouragement in the experience of Ephesus. The early Christians had the memory of walking with Jesus and they had the living apostles with them, yet they had to deal with some of the same issues we struggle with today. If the early Christians had this same problem, we should not expect to have an easy time of it. We need the Holy Spirit’s presence at all times if we want to keep our balance.
Lord, I need Your Spirit to keep my balance today.