Let's Work On Immortal Minds!

One of America's greatest statesmen, Daniel Webster, once made the following observation about our making a lasting impression on mankind: "If we write upon marble, it will perish. If we work upon brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble into dust. But if we work upon men's immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with the just fear of God and love for their fellow men, we engrave on those tablets something which no time can efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity" (source).

As followers of Christ, we have a solemn task to labor on behalf of man's spiritual welfare (Romans 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:16). If benevolent and charitable societies are deemed important to alleviate physical suffering, how much more valuable is the endeavor expended in leading men to Christ in order to resolve the sin in their life?

The prophet Daniel tells us that those who "turn many to righteousness" shall be as the stars which brightly shine forever and ever (Daniel 12:3). One of the truly great statements found in the Old Testament, was made by King Saul after David had spared his life.

His words should impress us today as we contemplate lost souls: "My  soul was precious in thine eyes this day" (1 Samuel 26:21 KJV). Beloved, souls are perishing in this old world of sin while we waste precious time and talent on less important things of this passing world (2 Peter 3:10). Not only can we rescue those souls outside of Christ with the saving gospel (Romans 1:16), we can "save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20), if we will search out those Christians who have strayed from the safe haven of God's sheepfold (cf. Luke 15:3-4).

There are souls that are lost in sin that only we can reach, because we associate and work with them every day. Let us love our fellowman as we love ourselves, by showing our concern for their immortal souls (Matthew 22:39); engraving upon the tablets of their heart something that will brighten them to all eternity — the precious saving gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16); cf. Acts 8:25-39).

Let's work on immortal minds!

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets