153 verses in the New Testament have the word "servant" in them (often translated as "slave" in English bibles).
126 of those occurrences are defined in the Strong's concordance as follows:
doulos: a slave (perhaps archaic and should be updated) Original Word: δοῦλος, ου,ὁ Part of Speech: Adjective; Noun, Feminine; Noun, Masculine Transliteration: doulos Phonetic Spelling: (doo'-los) Short Definition: a male slave Definition: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave.
1401 doúlos (a masculine noun of uncertain derivation) – properly, someone who belongs to another; a bond-slave, without any ownership rights of their own.
Ironically, 1401 /doúlos ("bond-slave") is used with the highest dignity in the NT – namely, of believers who willingly live under Christ's authority as His devoted followers.
And comparing ourselves with this word is how we examine ourselves and never cease to examine ourselves until the day our spirit leaves our body. Doing this according to each of our abilities. According to the strength to do this given to us by God. To whom much is given shall much be required. And we are required to seek more from God so we may "grow in grace". ~2 Peter 3:18
Coveting earnestly the best gifts from God. Hunger and thirst for deeper revelations in God. We need to bear good fruit. God says stay in His Word with all our hearts and this will happen.
"The husbandman that labors must be first partaker of the fruits.
Consider what I say; and the Lord give you understanding in all things." ~2 Timothy 2:6, 7
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" ~Colossians 1:9, 10
Right now there are more distractions than ever. These distractions are intended to pull your mind, your thoughts away from God. And I know it is of the utmost importance that we reject these diversions and keep our mind stayed on God and His Word.
This is the message of Jesus: That our eye be single (Matthew 6:22).
May God bless you all in Jesus' Name Amen
And I'd like to share with you these short and simple messages about striving to love God with all our hearts. (links below)
You can be saved!
God loves the people in the world so much that He came down to die for us. If God is opening your heart to His message and you feel convicted for your sins which have separated you from a holy God and you feel the need to be forgiven, then say this prayer. This is how I was powerfully converted to the Christ in 1997!
Say, "My Lord and my God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe Jesus the Christ died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I believe Jesus raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now on the right-hand side of God listening to this prayer. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You in, Lord Jesus. Thank you, God, for saving my soul and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen."