Do You Know The Lord, Brother?
A.I. Version
The concept of critical thinking has been defined as:
“Critical thinking is the analysis of available facts, evidence, observation, and arguments in order to form a judgment by applying rational, skeptical, and unbiased analysis and evaluation. It includes self-directed, self-disciplined, self-motivated, and self-corrective habits of mind. A critical thinker engages intellectual abilities and personality traits, adhering to rigorous standards of excellence in communication and problem-solving while striving to overcome egocentric and sociocentric biases.”
(Adapted from Wikipedia under the heading “Critical Thinking”)
In essence, this definition can be distilled into a simple guiding principle: Question everything.
Evangelists seeking to fulfill the Great Commission often ask a foundational question meant to initiate the journey of salvation: “Do you know the Lord, Brother?”
The Meaning of Knowing the Lord
To answer this question, we must first apply critical thought and seek evidence from scripture. The Apostle John provides insight:
“And by this, we know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments. Whoever says, ‘I know Him’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” — 1 John 2:3–4
This passage raises another question: What are the commandments of Christ?
A valuable lesson in Bible study, rooted in the teachings of the Prophet Isaiah, is to interpret scripture by comparing scripture:
“To whom will He teach knowledge, and to whom will He explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast? For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” — Isaiah 28:9–10
This method — piecing together scripture like a puzzle — leads us to the next critical question: What defines a saint?
“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Yeshua.” — Revelation 14:12
Who Gave the Commandments?
A common assumption is that God the Father spoke the commandments at Mount Sinai. However, scripture reveals otherwise:
- “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” — John 1:18
- “And the Father who sent me has Himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, His form you have never seen.” — John 5:37
- “Not that anyone has seen the Father except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.” — John 6:46
- “Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel.” — Exodus 24:9–11
- “And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 10:4
These passages confirm that it was not God the Father, but Christ Himself — the Word made flesh — who delivered the commandments at Mount Sinai:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14
Paul explicitly states in Corinthians: “That Rock was Christ!”
Understanding 1 John 2:3–4
With this context, we can now revisit John’s words with a clearer understanding:
“And by this, we know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments (Covenant Law given at Mount Sinai). Whoever says, ‘I know Him’ but does not keep (guard) His commandments (Covenant Law) is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” — 1 John 2:3–4 (Commentary added for clarity)
The Great Commission
The responsibility of all believers is outlined in Christ’s own words:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:18–20
In scripture, the word “observe” means “to guard” or “to stand up for” — to defend the Covenant Law as taught and exemplified by Christ. Just as He was our example, we too are to be living examples of Covenant Law believers.
So, the next time someone asks, “Do you know the Lord, Brother?” consider turning the question around. Engage in a critical thought process and lead them to a deeper understanding of what it truly means to know the Lord. You may find that, in the end, the one who sought to evangelize is the one who receives enlightenment.
Joey Thompson
joeythompson777@aol.com
PrayAndFastForOurNation.com