with the plain meanings they have had for many, many years.

My mom used to sing "Jesus Once was a Little Child" to me when I was a kid. It ends with the sincere exhortation "try to be like him. Try, try, try." In the same vein I often use "try" because I feel like I (and many others) don't get very close when attempting to be like Jesus. But I don't think that means we are failing. With all due respect to Yoda, I think there IS a try, and that sometimes just trying is acceptable to God.

But I appreciate you letting me know that my exhortations are dismissed immediately by you. I won't waste my breath trying to persuade you.