Reckless

Reckless: actions that a person takes, without regard to the consequences.

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When we think about reckless drivers, we're annoyed. When we think of reckless teenagers, we worry. When we think of reckless spending, we'll pay later.

But reckless love?

I wanted to write a post inspired by the Bethel Music song "Reckless Love." It's a beautiful song that I've been singing in my head for days. The chorus:

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

As I write posts, I search other posts, biblegateway, and other related topics. I wanted to write about the reckless love of God, but my theology was challenged by several other posts.

Paul Yoo writes, "God’s love seems reckless because he is so unconcerned about himself or his well-being in the way he loves. However, Scripture seems to paint a different picture of God and the purpose behind His love. The whole Bible shows us that God is not unconcerned with himself but is ultimately for himself."

Do I believe that? Yes. The Bible tells us God cannot be untrue to who He is. He is God, worthy of all praise, and loving us does not jeopardize that in any way.

Sam Storms says it is way: " I take the word “reckless” to mean that God’s love defies all human categories of how love ought to operate and express itself. God loves sinners in the most unconventional and seemingly unsophisticated manner possible. His love is contrary to how we typically love one another."

That is a good way to put it. We see God's love as reckless, because as humans, we can't understand it.

Andrew K. Gabriel points out that our definition of reckless -- not caring about consequences -- is exactly opposite of God's love. He writes, "I don’t think too many Christians would like to say that God is “careless” or that God’s love doesn’t “care about consequences.” Instead, God loves us with the clear and thoughtful intention “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)."

So what has this post done for me? It's given me a deeper understanding of God's character, and it has reminded me to be mindful of what I'm singing. Not that we have to do away with the song. But words are important, especially to a word smith.

Reckless is perhaps not the best word to describe God's love. Which word would you choose?