”Try it, you’ll like it!” This saying is on the lips of most Americans due to a clever ad man’s use of it. It reminds us of the story told by Islip Collyer of the ship-wrecked men drifting helplessly in ’a life raft, half mad with thirst and with no land in sight. They frantically signal to a distant ship for water and receive a curt three word reply, ”Dip and drink.” Wondering at the strange answer they tasted the water and found it fresh. The raft had drifted by the coast of South America, and they were near the mouth of the mighty Amazon, whose waters flow over the surface of the sea for many miles before they are finally mingled with the salt. All they had to do was try it to find that they would like it.

This same thought can be elevated to spiritual things. Many young people raised in the Sunday school hesitate at making the big step of baptism. Although they know the truth and perhaps even feel that to some degree they are a part of the ecclesial activities, nevertheless they are ”without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” What a glorious difference Christ makes! The joy and happiness that comes from being in covenant relationship with him! ”0 taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him,” declares David. Those who haven’t tasted God are like those on the raft dying of thirst while being surrounded by fresh water.

This same thought also applies to those that are in Christ. Some ask for an opportunity to serve God when there are opportunities all around them. We can sit in the raft thinking there is nothing to do when everywhere we look there is something we could and should do for Christ. We hesitate when we should be trying it. Perhaps we are waiting for one big spectacular thing to do for Jesus when all the time we could be handing out cups of cold water in his name. It may not be much but we know that it is well pleasing to him. The only picture we are given of the judgment seat shows Christ commending those who did little things to some of his other brethren and sisters and condemning those who did not. From this we see that the righteous did little thoughtful things while those classed as the wicked did nothing. It is obvious that sinful acts will keep us out of the kingdom unless they are forgiven but it is safe to say that probably most of those excluded from the kingdom of God will be turned away for sins of omission.

Some in the kingdom will have been guilty of the most serious crimes such as murder, lying, and adultery. Now David, Peter ’and Rahab will not be in the kingdom because they did these things but because they repented of these things, were forgiven and then went on to do positive things for God. Jesus addressing the Pharisees said, ”Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” This was a terrible thing to say, thought these self righteous Pharisees, for they felt that they were the spiritual leaders of the people. They loved to walk around in their flowing robes and receive the praise of man but the plain truth was they didn’t do anything for God. They said and did not. They bound heavy burdens on others but would not move one of their fingers to help. They will stand at the judgment seat of Christ and watch the publicans and sinners they thought unworthy of their help go into the Kingdom and they themselves will be thrust out.

Let us learn from the mistakes of others and get busy ourselves. There is plenty to do. Look around, you’ll find it. ”Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Try it, you’ll like it.