Sadly what is often taught about our redemption is not focused on Christ at all. We hear about how we made a choice, we decided, we prayed a prayer, we accepted Jesus. As if it were a matter of such small, self-contained importance that we could easily, on our lunch hour, change our basic nature and our eternal destiny.
And when you start believing that "the choice" is man's to make, you ignore Scripture's dismal portrait of lost humanity--universally dead to God and not only unwilling but unable to choose God. (Just look at Romans 3, for example).
You begin to think that human beings are not really hopelessly lost apart from Christ, but only a whim away from turning their lives around. Conversion to Christ becomes the spiritual equivalent of trying out a new cell phone plan. Come on, give it a try. It might work for you, What have you got to lose?
Well, what we really lose is the miracle of Christ's infinitely valuable sacrifice, the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and the precious mystery of God's sovereign grace. Making Jesus and His atoning work a commodity we can acquire with a quick prayer or a raised hand is to lose the real Jesus, and thus real redemption.
Admiring Christ, making much of Him, meditating on His perfect obedience, infinitely valuable sacrifice, and all-victorious resurrection will change us forever. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Instead of "giving Him a try," we'd better give Him our lives. We'll find that He is more wonderful than we ever imagined, worthy of our trust and obedience, and all-sufficient for time and eternity.
