BOND-SERVANTS FOR THE ELECT - BISHOP DAJUR

The Apostle Paul opens his letter to Titus with a profound self-description: “_Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgement of the truth which accords with godliness_” (Titus 1:1). Paul, once Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee by strictest sect, trained under Gamaliel, and a man of strong religious pedigree, could easily have boasted in his background and accomplishments (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:5–6). Yet, having become a new man in Christ, he chose to identify himself not by pedigree, nor merely by office, but as a bond-servant of his Lord, wholly surrendered under the authority of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of the elect.

In the New Testament, there are different Greek words translated as “servant”, but they do not all mean the same thing. Diakonos means a helper or minister,  someone who serves by rendering service. Hupēretēs means an attendant or assistant,  one who serves under direction and carries out assigned duties. But doulos means a bond-servant, one who belongs to a master. A doulos is not merely working for Christ; he is owned by Christ, surrendered fully to Him, and living for His will. This is why Paul deliberately called himself a doulos: he was saying in essence, “I am not merely serving Christ; I belong to Christ.” And he did this, not for self-promotion, but “_according to the faith of God’s elect_” (Titus 1:1), that others might believe, grow in godliness, and stand firm in the truth.

God indeed calls every believer into this same posture of humble surrender. We may teach the Scriptures, quote verses, and sing hymns, yet nothing speaks more powerfully than a life lived for Christ. In a saying commonly attributed to St Francis of Assisi, we are reminded: “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” This challenges us to allow our lives to echo the message of Christ where words alone might fail.

Often, even children remind us of this truth. There is a well-known Christian story in which children were asked about their favourite Bible translation. Some mentioned popular versions and those they found easiest to read. But one child gave a response that stood out: he said his best “Bible translation” was his mother’s life in Christ, the faith, love, prayerfulness, and godliness he had observed in her daily walk. The point is unmistakable: for many, especially the young, the most convincing “translation” of Scripture is not the one printed on paper, but the one lived before their eyes. Indeed, Scripture affirms this when it says believers are “an epistle… known and read by all men” (2 Corinthians 3:2).

This same spirit of submission and growth can also be seen in the life of John Wesley, the great Methodist reformer. Though educated, ordained, and zealous, Wesley wrestled with assurance of salvation. It was in London, at Aldersgate Street, while listening to a reading of Martin Luther’s preface to Romans, that he testified: “I felt my heart strangely warmed.” In that moment, he became sure that Christ had saved him. Wesley’s journey was not shaped in isolation, but in fellowship, particularly through the influence of the Moravians, whose calm assurance, disciplined faith, and deep trust in Christ strengthened his understanding and devotion. He learned from them, he was corrected by them, and he became better under them. Like Paul, Wesley’s strength was expressed not in pride, but in surrender, teachability, and obedience.

Therefore, whether in Paul the Apostle or Wesley the reformer, the lesson is the same: God’s servants are most useful when they become most surrendered. True ministry is not performed from pride of pedigree, but from the posture of a bond-servant. This is why Wesley’s Covenant Prayer remains one of the strongest declarations of Christian consecration and total yielding to God:

“I am no longer my own, but Yours.

Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will;

Put me to doing, put me to suffering;

Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You,

Exalted for You or brought low for You.

Let me be full, let me be empty;

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things

To Your pleasure and disposal.”

May God grant us grace to emulate the life of Paul, and to avail ourselves wholly to God, even as Wesley prayed, that our lives may preach the best sermons our words cannot preach.

A challenge was laid before all present: to live as bond-servants of Christ, to let our lives preach Christ clearly, and to yield ourselves fully into God’s hands, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect.

_This was the teaching of the Bishop of Keffi-Karshi Missionary Diocese, the Rt Reverend Gershinen Paul Dajur, PhD, today after the weekly Mid-day Mid-week Service at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Bishop’s Office, located at St Paul Cathedral, Nyanya, FCT Abuja._ 

+Paul Dajur

Bishop, Keffi-Karshi Missionary Diocese

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