And then our Saviour died...
In your reading of this, what is the difference before and after Christ?
Nothing in regards to man's willingness to choose God on His own.
Christ's death did not save all mankind. There will be those, who of their own desire, will go to Hell. Christ's death satisified God's requirement for justice for those who are saved. It didn't do away with an inclination to Sin. All still will desire to turn from God. It made possible the reconciliation of the objects of mercy to God. And, not a drop of Christ's blood is spilled in vain.