[1] but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [2] At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. [3] The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group [4] and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” [6] They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. [7] When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” [8] Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. [9] At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. [10] Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” [11] “No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” - John 8:1-11 (NIV)
Grace theology is so popular today. Tons of books and articles were written about Grace. Pastors and preachers are now preaching about Grace, sometimes pure Grace and sometimes Grace with a hidden price or fee.
Grace literally means gift. We are not worthy of it but we are recipient of it. Grace is free. Grace is good news. It won't confirm in our human way. Grace has its own mysterious way. Grace is not for worthy people. Grace is for you, me, us.
Sometimes I asked myself. Really? Grace is free and we do not need to do anything to achieve it, receive it? So it means even though I do not like it, don't want to accept it, do not care about it, it's still mine? Hmmm, Interesting?!
If you say that the Grace is really free, you mean even thought I don't accept Christ as savior and say the sinner's prayer, do not attend the church and join your religion. Grace is still mine? How about I do not believe what you believe, Grace is still mine?
So what is the catch?
Is Grace really FREE or not? 100% FREE?
Can we abuse the Grace?
Can we claim that we are saved by Grace and still live the life of sin? Can we live the life that is opposite to the life that Grace offers?