Barnabas
Chosen by the Lord, Jesus Christ knew that His time on earth was drawing to a close and that He would soon return to the Father. Before leaving this world, He personally selected a few people to be His disciples and faithful witnesses, representing Him and continuing His work after His ascension..
After His ascension to heaven, these chosen ones were to continue showing the world who Jesus is — not only by preaching but by the way they lived.
There is a difference between speaking a testimony and being a witness.
Telling others what God has done for you is easy.
But living as a witness means walking in obedience, sacrifice, and truth every day — it’s a life of commitment.
Why did Jesus appoint the Disciples as Witnesses
In Mark 16:15, Jesus commanded His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
They obeyed this command faithfully. Because of their obedience, the gospel message spread to many places (Romans 10:18), and through that message, many came to faith (Romans 10:17; Acts 2:36–42).
Chosen by the Lord: Qualifications to Be His Faithful Witnesses
- Obedience to His Call – (Matthew 9:9)
We must respond when He calls us. - Obedience to His Word and Fruitful Living – (John 15:8)
We must remain in Him and bear good fruit through our lives. - Carrying Our Cross – (Luke 14:27)
Following Jesus requires us to take up our cross daily. - Loving One Another – (John 13:34–35)
Love for one another is the mark of His true followers. - Receiving the Power of the Holy Spirit – (Acts 1:8)
Only the Holy Spirit gives us strength and courage to be witnesses.
Mighty Works Through the Power of the Holy Spirit by Chosen by the Lord
Peter, one of Jesus’ beloved disciples, saw many mighty works with his own eyes.
But before Jesus was crucified, Peter became afraid and denied knowing Him three times (Luke 22:58–61).
Later, after receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter stood boldly before the people and declared, “This Jesus whom you crucified, God has raised to life — and we are all witnesses of this truth” (Acts 2:32).
In the same way, when we receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we can also reveal Jesus to the world through our words and actions.
No one can do this by their own strength — it is possible only through the grace and power that God gives.
The central message of the gospel is this: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, just as the Scriptures said (1 Corinthians 15:3).
Today, many in the world are blinded by sin and cannot see the loving Savior who waits to forgive them.
They are like those who cannot hear the voice of God or cry out to Him for mercy.
Satan has blinded many through pride and hardened hearts so that they cannot receive the free gift of salvation and eternal life.
Millions are walking toward destruction without realizing it, ignoring the great sacrifice that Jesus made for their forgiveness.
Because of their unbelief, they are unable to experience the peace and joy of God’s kingdom (Habakkuk 2:13).
So, the Chosen by the Lord His witnesses to live among them — to show His love and share the message of salvation.
Through His chosen servants, chosen by the Lord God is revealing the truth that no worldly wisdom can teach (Acts 2:36–42; Acts 4:12–13).
Those who accept this gospel will be saved and enter eternal joy. But those who reject it will face judgment.
His Witnesses Must Carry His Love
The love of Christ is a love that gives itself for others.
He loved humanity so deeply that He came down from heaven to save those who were lost (John 3:16).
When we were weak, sinful, and far from God, Christ showed His love by dying for us on the cross (Romans 5:1–9).
When we carry this same love – a love that seeks to save the lost – we can truly be His witnesses and help others escape eternal destruction.
His Witnesses Must Show Compassion
When Jesus looked at the people, He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).
We too must speak God’s word with compassion — not with anger or pride.
When the people were hungry, He had compassion and fed them (Matthew 15:32).
When He saw the sick, He healed them (Matthew 14:14).
When He saw those who were in sorrow, He comforted them (Luke 7:13).
So, those who are called to be His witnesses must have the same heart as Christ — gentle, merciful, and full of compassion, they are called chosen by the Lord.
His Witnesses Must Serve Faithfully – Chosen by the Lord
Peter, chosen by the Lord, one of the Lord’s chosen disciples, understood the power of God and served with great devotion (Acts 1:15, 25).
The apostle Paul also joyfully fulfilled the ministry that Jesus entrusted to him — to proclaim the gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 4:1).
There are many kinds of ministries, but the Lord is one (1 Corinthians 12:5).
So, as His servants, we must serve with love and willingness, being faithful witnesses in whatever He calls us to do.
His Witnesses Must Endure Hardship
Jesus suffered greatly for our sake. He went hungry, faced rejection, and endured pain.
In Mark chapters 8, 9, and 10, we read how He explained to His disciples the sufferings He would face in Jerusalem.
He endured all this out of love for humanity.
In the same way, when we suffer patiently for His sake, we become true witnesses.
Through our endurance, others can see the hope of salvation.
The believers and apostles before us also went through many hardships and persecutions to establish God’s kingdom among people (Hebrews 11:36–39).
God has loved us, chosen us, and filled us with His Holy Spirit so that we may be strong witnesses for Him in this world. we are Chosen by the Lord.
Therefore, let us continue faithfully showing His love, living His truth, and serving Him with all our hearts until we meet Him face to face.
