When i sang it, i was led in the spirit to change it to "The PRECIOUS love of GOD..." couldn't call the Most High GOD 'reckless'. I pray that we will constantly be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Our discernment in the church is such we have to ask a pastor if this is not an accurate song of faith. And he goes into semantics to explain all sides of reckless, and maybe this or that. We have been taught to be so politically correct and nice we can't use spiritual wisdom to make a decision. The point is; Jesus is not reckless. He is the Great I Am, the Lord who changes not, the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Known unto God are His works from the beginning. I'd rather take His Word than the sentiment of any songwriter.
Um... I'm pretttttty sure they're talking from the perspective of humans. Would we as humans be willing and able to chase down evey single soul and try to convince them of the glory of God (without God living inside us and calling us to do so)? No. Because as humans we don't respond so well when people slight us, betray us, abandon us, but God loves us and chases us down trying to show us the error of our ways all our lives until we surrender to Him fully (if we ever do. Not everyone will.) I get what ya'll are saying because it does sound heretical. I believe that this world is a masterpiece meticulously planned, but I think what Hillsong is trying to do is show us and spread the word of how God does things that humans could never do. He forgives when a human would consider it crazy to forgive someone. He chases after us no matter what, when we don't deserve it. So yeah, to do so using human logic would be considered "reckless." But...! This guy made a great point. We shouldn't say reckless because it implies that maybe God will eventually give up on us. That maybe God will eventually get so exhausted with our sin that he will give up. There definitely needs to be an assessment of the connotation of the word used. I don't think this is a bad song. Not really. I hope that the cause behind this video and behind the comments that are appearing here are out of concern and not a want for division. We really don't need to be divided right now. I understand we need to be on the lookout for partial truth, "almost" truth, "almost" good. We have to remember that we are all human. We are not even capable of coming up with the words to properly describe God because he is so holy.
@Private Setting you know nothing about who I am or what I do. You’re just another internet warrior in the kingdom of God. YOU need to find YOUR path 😂
Some virtues of God - one of these things is not like the other - and it’s easy to spot... 1. Holy 2. Loving 3. Generous 4. Patient 5. Reckless 6. Magnificent 7. Gentle 8. Beautiful
PsalmOneFortySix dot Two , um, I'll go with #5. It's disturbing that people are stubbornly trampling on the centuries-old dictionary definition, the thesaurus, AND God's word. How many of them would take it as a compliment if s loved one said they were thoughtless? Would they be glad if their supervisor said they do careless work? Would they jump for joy if a financial planner was irresponsible with their hard-earned life's savings? No one in their right mind would want to be tagged as such. Yet it's okay to invoke poetic license when it comes to describing perhaps God's greatest attribute. AND call it worship. Where's the fear of God in that?
bezal benny ,EXACTLY! Phrases that I've heard all my life that use the word reckless (reckless driver, reckless endangerment, reckless disregard for human life or safety) have NEVER been complimentary, much less worshipful. Just because there's an emotional, feel good story behind the song that suddenly eliminates all the negative connotations associated with the word. If I were face to face with a holy God would I dare call Him or any facet of His character reckless? We're living in the time of the church of Laodecia, when believers think their emotional opinions on God's love matter more than what He and the scriptures say about it. Like created clay talking back to the Potter.
And when did God stone homosexuals? And why are you bringing up something entirely unrelated to draw the discussion from the actual topic which is God's PERFECT love, not RECKLESS love. Go bother someone else with your tricks.
The argument is that "reckless" is "not considering the consequence" of pain and suffering in giving of Himself to die for us. But He DID consider the consequence, He knew exactly the pain He would have to endure. It was completely calculated. And He was absolutely burdened by the consequence of pain in Gethsemane. And I find that all the more beautiful, that despite the immense cost He KNEW it would bear Him, He still died for us anyway. My God is not reckless, He made a firm, decisive, calculated choice to bear the painful cross and restore us to himself. That to me is amazing grace.
Read Luke 15 please (song refers to it). All that counts is that God loves us so much, and his love is unstoppable. This song tells everyone about how great Gods love is for us. From the perspective of Luke 15 it seems reckless (in a good way). If your child is drowning would you even consider not jumping in the water to save it? Because it's dangerous even for you? That is the love God holds for us, portrayed by the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ♡ This song touched many christians and non-christians, also me. There is indeed no wall He won't kick down, lie he won't tear down. Coming after me. Even when i fail him so so much. And I don't deserve it Still You gave yourself away
I have read Luke 15 and also the specific verse that inspired the songwriter. The commenter is talking about the omniscient nature of God, which enables Him to realise what the exact consequence of loving the humans will be. yet what is so amazing is that although God will always know exactly how much it will cost Him, He will choose to love us no matter what. That makes His love for us so precious, so special, and so perfect. In my opinion, 'reckless' is a bit crude of a word to describe such love.
Yeullim Completely agree with you, it's so unhuman how God loves us, and for me the song reminds me of that. I can understand if someone is burdened by the word reckless and doesn't feel right by the song. For me reckless still is a way of describing God's love. Fearless, unstoppable, relentless; Gods love is perfect. I'm positive our Father also loves the song.
Agreed. I tried to ‘defend’ the song but the idea of a reckless love for the God who predestines everything and is all-knowing, sovereign and transcends creation cannot possibly have love that is described as reckless. Nothing he does is reckless. Scientists say that God would be a mathematician. The song can be defended from an anthropomorphic perspective, but it is not adequate and insufficient. The song has great build-ups and stirs the emotion, that’s all..
I love it because it explains to me how God can love those that have done heinous acts but repented! It was freeing to me not to feel so guilty about receiving Gods grace as a stage 4 cancer patient! This song freed me to love God to a deeper level
Cgilbert To Keith Savage and if you ever get to read the holy Quran it also say that God is most Gracious and most merciful and forgiving may peace be upon you
I can see your point but it’s important that we don’t get caught up in emotionalism. My friend Gods love is intentional and direct. He is not reckless, carefree or thoughtless. He loved you before the foundation of the world. That don’t sound like a very reckless love to me. This song is blasphemy.
Why is God reckless because of some of us human beings commit Heinous things . No no no ! Not biblical I hope you pray about this one and I’m sure the Holy Spirit would guide you otherwise about that one word God bless
In Spanish it is sung “unconditional love of God” honestly though with this song It helped me come back to Christ. Because I was lost yet he found me. He is my Lord and Savior.
@@michaellemmen Is it? he died for the sins of the world before anyone got saved. Knowing that not everyone would receive/accept the gift of salvation. Sounds like unconditional love to me.
@@michaellemmen Nah its truly unconditional...it looks like conditional, because of our resistance to worldly desire and flesh.... once you come to him full heartly, i assure you it's the love we are thirsty for, and which is reckless love for his people to be saved from hell and come to heaven and live with him for eternal...
Excelent answer as always from Pastor John! I love the word Reckless word in this song, and when I'm singing I'm totally thinking in how UNUNDERSTANDABLE the love of God is, every time I'll cry thinking of Gods love singing this song.
I am grateful to hear this discussion. I have hear the song once, but reckless really bothered me. I have not asked anyone in authority, so thanks for the question and the perspective.
Maybe think of it this way if the word reckless bothered you..maybe there is a reason,.. I would encourage you to go to GOD on this. Have a blessed day.
Reckless. Its a word us humans can relate to. Its going after something w a risk. Its believing in another that you will go past the risk and fight for them!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one that wondered about the song lyrics. God is Holy and to refer to Him as “reckless” is disrespectful. His love is bold and merciful and never ending... but never reckless or careless.
God judges the thoughts and intents of the heart. A person could quote scripture or sing Amazing Grace with disrespect. Another could use an unconventional word for God's love and say it with reverence and respect. Who are you to judge?
Stella'sJournal I think it’s weird that worship leaders and pastors are raving and pushing this unbiblical song! Is this the start of other worship songs to follow that are unscriptural?
Exactly... reckless driving reckless drinking.. careless... no no that’s not Gods love. It’s ever lasting...John 3:16. God was not reckless when he gave His son. His love is perfect.
Nobody has loved me as daring and confidently than God, that’s what this song is about. My spirit gets vibrant with this song, it’s gives me another glimpse of expression towards what words can hardly describe.
God’s love isn’t reckless to Him, it’s reckless to US. Ask any Church member for relationship advice with a person that betrays you, ignores you and goes after others. That Church member would tell you to drop that person like a fly. Yet that’s what we do to God and He loves us and welcomes us back every time.
I understand it may appear reckless to someone who doesn't know God. But if you truly know and understand God, His love does not appear reckless. It's the exact opposite of reckless!
Our God is Holy, Gracious, Compassionate, Just, Righteous, Eternal, Healer, Provider, Shelter, Abundantly & Perfectly Loving... & so much more. Do you think reckless should join those beautiful truths about our Father & Lord?
The songwriter didn't say God was reckless. He described his love as reckless in the context of leaving the 99 in pursuit of the one lost sheep. Context matters. When you rip something from context and then create a straw man out of it so you can tear it down before others, do you suppose that's an act of "iron sharpening iron" or pride masquerading as piety?
I took pause as well, when I first heard this song at church. After praying about if I felt this was a song I could sing for heartfelt praise and worship, I came to the similar conclusion as Piper. That “reckless “ was a word that meant deep and without fail, the love of God. I am so glad he addressed this. We should always question things that don’t seem true or right, even in the church.
Here's an idea. How about you direct your worship to God and stop worrying about what anyone else thinks? Why would you need to defend anything to anyone. Who are you there to worship? Whose endorsement are you seeking?
You shouldn't have to if you read the Bible and obeyed it, it would be common sense that God is good in all ways and is his love is very reckless for you and I and will go out to every measure to get to your heart. It is the "Simple" gospel. No
@@fatimareyes3594 Don’t let your good be evil spoken of. Reckless is not a good word AT ALL God is sovereign strategic and Purposeful nothing reckless about Him and yes God do care explain Numbers and Leviticus Him telling us exactly how God wanted us to worship Him in the old covenant. It matters. Don’t fall into that trap God will accept whatever I give Him. Ephesians 4:30 part a.
It really seems to me that God knew what he was doing from the beginning and all the way through to the end. If he didnt .... its basically saying hes not sovereign. So every Sunday my church sings this song and I inwardly cringe .
Lindakay Raney God definitely knew what he was doing! Watch Cory’s video explaining the song. He uses “reckless” because God knew what he was doing, and still gave himself to save us.
@@23home yes, let's rush to listen to a singer's mangled and incorrect interpretation of a parable rather than prayerfully and carefully being led by the Holy Spirit to understand what Jesus meant. What could possibly go wrong with that?
Lindakay Raney we left or church over this song and more songs like it from hillsong our church partnered with hillsong which sealed our tomb so we walked out of that grave ,And Jesus is our Lord and Savior,,not Hillsong or Christ Fellowship,, mega churches are falling like dominoes away from the Truth , big churches, big bills ,little faith, so if your cringing change churhes and make the Lord Jesus and your spirt happy.
I watched this video yesterday morning and the lyrics to this song and the message of the video and comments went through my head off and on all day long and into the night. At 3:33 this morning I woke up and the song was there again. Immediately these two phrases came to mind ~ with abandon & no restraints. That's how much God loves us, and could be said to be a 'reckless love'.
I love the song. So glad it speaks to your heart as it does mines! Since I am on a worship team and sing this song it rings into my heart and speaks of God's love which searches for us and "leaves the ninety-nine" to find us. To God be all glory, honor and praise, amen!
you encouraged me to look this up: Definition of reckless 1 : marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences.....This is Totally God's love for Us....Thank you! I have a sensitivity to the Spirit and can be quenched when I hear something anti-God....But this song blessed my Spirit and I worshiped God when I first heard it...
When our church sings this during worship, I always substitute "perfect" whenever it says "reckless". To me it better fits the God I have come to know and continue to learn about.
Same!!! Can’t believe this vid was suggested. I was just think the other day: why is it such a trendy thing to describe Gods love as “reckless”? So stupid...
Ive loved this song so much and have sung it from my heart. Joy has overflowed while i have sung it. But one day when i was singing it and got to the word reckless, the word "perfect" came out instead. So now everytime im singing it "perfect" comes out 😆 I love the song ❤
That's what I have replaced "reckless" with as well. I get what the artist was trying to convey but His love is perfect. Other than, it's a beautiful song
The song is by Cory Asbury, been listening and loving this song for three years now. Pastor John’s description of God’s love looking reckless to an outsider is almost certainly Asbury’s intention behind the song, and is what I believe most believers in my community think of when singing this song. He talks about it in one of his live videos about the word itself, and how it does NOT mean that God himself is reckless, but it’s referring to the parable of the lost sheep and how are yes, to an outsider, that kind of love would look foolish to an outsider. We love this song because we love the idea of being pursued by God, by His love, like He pursues the sheep. It is not praising some false notion that God is reckless. This may need to be cleared up for new believers, which is where I believe the controversy comes from, but to most solid believers in the Christian community, the real meaning is obvious. It’s easy to see the confusion though. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say Asbury almost redefined the word in the song. The word Reckless in the song is probably closer in definition to Relentless.
Dr. Piper, Thank you for posting this discussion. As a worship leader, my pastor and I have discussions like this with all sorts of songs including reckless love. This was a very good video.
The song is talking about God’s love being reckless in the sense of he doesn’t care what happens to Himself. The song says “there’s no shadow you won’t light up, mountain you won’t climb up coming after me.” That’s saying that God would do anything for us. He would willingly put Himself in harms way for us. John 15:13 says “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Here is how I understand the song Reckless love - when a person is recklessly in love with you it means he doesn't care whether you will love him back or not, he will still love and serve you. How Jesus died on the cross for all even those who hated Him and will never come to love Him. Before I spoke a word You were singing over me - since God is omniscient even before we were born He already knows which of us will be for Him. Before I took a breath You breathed Your life in me - I was dead in my sin but the Word breathed life into my dead spirit
Fatima, you have a problem. Your conclusion is that "He already knows which of us will be for Him." But Scripture gives us clearly the answer; No One will be for Him. Scripture states this emphatically in Psalm 14, Psalm 53, and in Romans 3:10. Here is one example in Psalm 14. The fool says in his heart,“There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, ******not even one.**** So, reckless can not mean what you proclaim it to mean. God's love was fixed upon people who would not seek him (for there are no others). So his love is direct, direct upon the people whom He chooses to redeem. Blessings to you, and may you take this to God through Scripture and ask Him if this be true or false.
@@CharlesBusada Exactly so Charles. Thanks. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. " Romans 5:8
"...when a person is recklessly in love with you it means he doesn't care whether you will love him back or not, he will still love and serve you.." That is not what 'recklessly in love with you' means, though it might mean that to you ofcourse, but that is twisting what it means to suit you and to appease the song writer. You seem to be confusing the word *reckless* with the words *unconditional* or *selfless*. Both of those ofcourse, would fit with God's Love. We need to know the Truth for it to set us free. The dictionary definition of reckless is what we need to know and it is wholely unsuitable in the song about God's Love. Reckless: careless; heedless. Not regarding consequences; headlong and irresponsible; rash. Acting or done with a lack of care or caution; careless or irresponsible. Doing things without fear or proper thought. Trigger-happy. Impetuous. Devil-may-care. Dare-devil. Fool-hardy. Throwing caution to the wind. Using the word "reckless" just sullies/tarnishes the Love of God with a worldy, catchy phrase, imo. x
How I understand 'reckless' love in this song. As a parent I have such strong uncompromising love for my children that in life as they face trials & tribulations, struggles that have been life endangering, that nothing has stood as such a threat to my physical body that I would have 'recklessly' given myself to save them, even if the consequence of torture & death were to be the price i paid.
God’s Love is perfect. For us how i say how reckless this perfect love to be given to sinners like us. A perfect love, that put Jesus on that cross for our sin. This song is just amazing:)
Paul, I’m thankful that this song moved you toward God and I pray you continue to be moved towards him mind body and soul. If you’re not already a brother, I hope you become one someday and we get to sing around the throne together. Don’t let people detract you from finding The Light.
You're assuming a lot about what I'm "wanting" to do. I'm going to end my end of the conversation here and sincerely pray that everyone reading this is able to give each other the benefit of the doubt. That, my friend, is what's running rampant in Christianity.
God's love is perfect. Not rescues Reckless. And honestly these songs now adays paint God in the wrong light. They paint God as a needy and reckless God who just needs us so bad that he's begging us and pleading for us to follow. God doesn't need us, we need him. Period. I get that people find this song to be comforting but of course it does. It's a song telling you God loves you so much he would be reckless. But comforting or not that's not God. God loves you but if you turn from him you will feel his wrath. Jesus said in revelation that some Christians are Luke warm and he will chew them up and spit them out.
If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord--if you repent and believe--you are saved. Period, exclamation point. Don't add more layers of requirement or confusion for people. Let people worship, even if YOU think it's "off" the way they want to worship that seems faithful to them. I'm sick of this "SOLID Christian" or "reaaal Christian" culture. NO. There is One True God, One True Way to salvation, and a world of perishing people saved by Grace alone. Nothing else. This type of mincing of words is confusing and damaging and ONLY serves to divide and create hierarchy of who has better theology. Nope nope nope nope.
I think the way they use Reckless is like saying its Audacious and Relentless. The meaning of words are always changing. Awful used to mean “worthy of awe'' But it doesn't anymore. I Love this song, It makes me think of Gomer and Hosea, Reading that story in the bible changed my life, my whole view of Gods love changed. I now wear a purity ring that even thou it shows I'm pure, the main reason I got it was to remind me of Gods promise and love for me and my love for him. When I sing this song I sing it from my heart. I do take what it says with a grain of salt, because I know what it says is a little shaky theology, but I believe it comes from the heart. You judge yourself, if you can't sing it, Praise God sing something that speaks to you, but don't condemn others for singing this song. God is praised! And I really don't think anyone singing this song is singing it thinking that the way God loves is reckless in a negative way. And I'd like to add, everyone saying that we shouldn't use words that are from human perspective, all of psalms is from Davids perspective, he wrote from his heart, if he felt like God had left him, and he had no hope of God coming back, He said it. Yes he had to turn it around to the bible truth in the end and say even if this is how I see you, I know its not how you really are God, And I think people can do that with this song. They know in their own minds Gods love seems crazy, but they know he isn't crazy, he's God! Sovereign, Almighty, all-knowing, peace giving God. That's my take on it. If you disagree that's fine, please comment Nicely, no rude comments. We can encourage each other, and reprimand each other with Love. :D God bless. P.s Sorry to everyone who liked my comment before I added all the stuff you might not agree with.
Could I not use that argument to write a song called "Repulsive Love" or "Corrupt Love" or "Obscene Love" ...etc and say it comes from the heart or that definitions can change?
That is a very good point. Something to really think about. But I still see it as almost every word has synonyms and if you can use reckless to describe something that is audacious, I think it still works. The antonyms of Reckless is careful, God is careful, But he's not careful in an anxious or fearful way, so I understand how important it is to use wisdom with your words. I wouldn't have used Reckless if I wrote the song either, But I still understand what he is saying. Its like when teachers say ''May I!'' when you ask ''Can I.'' Yes the right words are important, But at the same time the meaning is the same. Context is important to, I don't believe there is a context or synonym that would make Repulsive, Obscene, or Corrupt, love at all acceptable to use as examples of God's love in 2018. But a hundred years from now the words meaning could be changed so much that they're acceptable. I do think this is a great discussion topic though.
When you don't conform to scripture, your concept of God ends up as a mere reflection of your own self. So if you're reckless in your theology, it should come as no surprise that you think of God as reckless as well.
tchristian04 this is such a lazy critique. Cory has made it very clear that he means man might percieve the degree to which God loves as reckless. He clearly said that God is not reckless and even the lyrics in the verses speak to God's intentional, careful love for his children. The wording Cory chose is confusing to some and therefore problematic. He should have chosen a different word IMO. Your critique is from a place of ignorance on the matter however. It would take like 5 seconds of consideration to expose what you've said here as a completely invalid critique.
southern Baptist? listen to the discussion again.. my theology "well! I love Jesus, belive He is the only way, I love Jesus and have placed my fragile weak and only life in him
did you read my second paragraph? I said the wording he chose was problematic. The point of my reply was to point out that tchristian04's critique was lazy.
Thank you. When I saw the word reckless my heart or spirit warned me, but I heard the content of the lyrics and the meaning of the 99 sheep for the lost 1 I kind of understood what the word reckless meant. Thank you for this view !!
I see this song as Blasphemy. I used to participate and replace this word with “selfless”. The Holy Spirit brought me to this. Later, God started to tell me, (just walk away)! Why do we sing to the Lord. To testify of Him?! Yes. Why would we ever testify that God was careless to us?
I felt the same way. I’m one that studies lyrics so when I heard the word “reckless” I did not like it, but just for one word I won’t stop listening or better yet singing it. I just replaced the word “reckless” with restless. It makes more sense to me that God’s Love is restless towards us. He will never stop loving me.
Funny how people are trying to redefine the word “reckless”. It means what it means, words and precision matter. That is the case of Scripture studies, theological truths and even worship. Having said that, I would not demonize it. Sam Storms wrote a good article about it. Google it. The word clearly has an negative connotation: djective (of a person or their actions) without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action. "reckless driving" synonyms: rash, careless, thoughtless, heedless, unheeding, hasty, overhasty, precipitate, precipitous, impetuous, impulsive, daredevil, devil-may-care; irresponsible, foolhardy, audacious, overadventurous; ill-advised, injudicious, madcap, imprudent, unwise, ill-considered
The negative connotation is EXACTLY why the word is powerful in this context. Just like the prodigal son's brother was shocked and dismayed that his father would welcome the prodigal home and throw a party for him, when we view the extravagant love of God, it seems reckless to us. From a logical standpoint, it doesn't make sense. A shepherd leaving 99 sheep unattended to pursue one lost sheep seems reckless. A God sending his Son to die for his enemies "while we were yet sinners" seems reckless. It's the negative connotation of this word that draws a stark comparison between our limited, human view of things and the sovereign extravagant love of God.
Good point! Thanks for your response brother! I appreciate the idea of seeking to write powerful things for the glory of God. Let me respectfully disagree: I have issues on writing a song for worship that gives God a description according to what "seems to us". If the song said something like it " your love seems reckless to me", I would not have a problem with the word. God's love seems reckless to us. But God's love is not reckless. Of course, the impact is not the same and is not as emotional... but I think impact and emotions don't come first, worship to God should be in TRUTH according to scripture, not according to my perceptions. To say it in another way, let's say that I read the Old Testament and I see that God forgives and restores Israel over and over... that seems to me that God's commandments are maybe not as important to Him as he leads us to believe. I could write a song that talks about how God's love is bigger than our sin because he is willing to overlook our sin in order to save us. Is that true? Absolutely not! Sin is so important that he sent his son to pay for it. Is there some truth in my perception, maybe, but there are details that are not accurate... I'm not saying that this song will start a heresy... but, we need to care for the word and the truth in the most serious ways possible because history proves that this is how heresies start, we talk about God from our own perceptions, and then suddenly a whole theology is built around it. On the other hand, I don't think the Biblical references you give make God seem reckelss anyway. Let me address each one and first notice what recless means "without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action": 1. The prodical son. It's a parable and it needs to be interpreted as such, the brother was not thinking it was reckless, he was clearly Jelous and it's representing the people of Israel, specially his leaders. 2. The 99. God does not seem reckless here either. This parable is about God's love for the lost. But in reallity, God can't "not take care" of some to go take care of others. He is in control of everything. The point of the parable is that he loves us deeply and he will do everthing to find us (meaning, giving his own son for us) wich takes us to the next example... 3. God sending his son for us. That was not done in a recless way. God cared deeply about the concequences and actually was seeking to acomplish specific things (not hasty, not rash, careless, thoughtless, heedless, unheeding, hasty, overhasty, precipitate, precipitous, impetuous, impulsive... all of these synonims of "reckless")
The singer is from Bethel Church (Bill Johnson), so I can assume that his ''Reckless'' is more of how the ''word of faith/prosperity gospel'' theology defines reckless.
All I KNOW IS "PEOPLE" even Christians will FIND what we are LOOKING FOR. When I first heard this song, I was driving and had to PULL OVER & WORSHIP My Lord, Jesus Christ PERIOD! I didn't & STILL DO NOT hear the word "RECKLESS" as a disrespectful word to the character of Trinity. I heard it as the OPPOSITE! His LOVE is EVERLASTING & HAS NO END. His Love ran me DOWN as a non church goer EARLY in life and SNATCHED me out of DARKNESS into HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT at 21! SO THIS SONG sends ME DIRECTLY INTO WORSHIP MODE! #TYJESUSForREAL
love the song remember for God so loved the world He gave His only Son, instead of reckless love should be eternal love, Romans 10:13 for who so ever call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Amen!
Every time someone plays this at a fellowship I just replace the word with relentless! Always! I never refer to his love as reckless. It’s calculated and with reason.
God's love has never been "reckless" and will never be reckless. Every peril and consequence is already known and considered and weighed by him before he leaves the 99 to bring back the one. God's love is steadfast and never changing. It is man's love that is reckless. A little leven can permeate the entire loaf. Also we will answer for the use of every word for God knows the deepths of the heart and soul even to the knowing of the meaning we have perceived and projected forth of a word. I will sing that God saved me from my reckless love by his unrelenting steadfast love.
Just my opinion - but selfless isn't a powerful enough word to describe the sacrifice Jesus made. Letting someone step in front of you at the grocery store check out. Sacrificing buying something for yourself to give to the poor. These are selfless acts. Willingly giving up your life - allowing others to torture you to save the lives of others ..... goes beyond that. I'm not sure there is even a word in the english language powerful enough to truly capture the gravity of such actions. Not just to have these things done to you - but to consciously volunteer to have them done to you. This is a love for which we don't really have a word. All adjectives fail to properly describe it - so I understand why the song writer chose "reckless" because it speaks to the complete unfathomable depth of his love. The total and utter disregard he had for his own life, emotions and the pain he would have to endure to ensure we had life
Kelvin Lo The thing that is reckless is His Love! Remember that Jesus preached the Gospel even though somepeople are telling Him to stop or He will face the consequences of His action. The Shepherd will look for that one last sheep and leave the other sheep hence the ninety nine because He knew that His those sheep are safe but their is one lost and He will find that Lost sheep because everyone is important. That's my view, that His Love will chase you and will never stop just to let you know how much He love you! God bless
Well the Bible states the contrary! But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NKJV While you were far from Him and in sin He chased you, pursuit you. I can't be the other way around because without The Holy Spirit you don't know that you are sinning in need of salvation
Marius marius I was emphasizing the word chase. He may convict and we move toward Him. But chase? Hummmm. To me it makes Him seem weak. He is King and we come after Him and seek His heart.
Everyone offended by this is totally totally missing the message. It’s from a human perspective. Gods love is so unbelievable it seems almost reckless to us. Reckless as I’m not caring about yourself you love so much. Come on people. That song is absolutely beautiful it brings me to tears Every time. I feel so close to God when I hear that song. If you think God is upset about that with all the sin he forgives. you’re out of your minds.
Went and read what this guy meant by it and this is what he said, “I see the love of God as something wild, insane, crazy. The way that he pursues, chases us down, loves, I believe, is reckless. We were going after that really furious, violent language to speak of the nature of the love of God.” And that my friend are the words of someone who has no idea what the Bible looks like.
Perfectly exlained. The words that were used to die or extremely important and I believe we should be very aware of that. Even the Lord tells us the power of life and death is in the tongue
Im glad he said it...Words matter. I have always felt that way. I did the same analysis with my Thesaurus to make there wasn't some hidden, little used definition that i wasn't aware of.
I listened to an interview from the Author of "Reckless Love," there was a solid and Biblical intent behind this song. However, I listened because I had a cautious response to the word myself. It didn't sit right within me. It's evidence of the current generation and their embrace of faith in an ever evolving and dark world. It's a beautiful expression of why and how new believers can rest in the power of God's love in total abandon and surrender.
I first heard my churches minister of music play just the music; I said this is beautiful, I got excited and told someone about it and even said give the Lyrics to your minister of music, she said she would look it up on RUclips and listen to it. I went home start listening to it and commented how beautiful it was; then something struck my senses and I looked the word "Reckless" up (negative connotations) I said that's not GOD, old English said "wicked". Then I looked up overwhelming; I said what happened to "freewill and choice", after that I said, how do I go back and tell them this song is not biblical; moreover, what about the minister of music even the Pastor. Wow! Thought about leaving Reckless and Overwhelming Out for God's Love is truly never-ending. Beautiful music and beautiful song but if I have to change it, I'm thinking this song is not of God even though it has some "truth" it also has distortions about who GOD is. We must be careful for "Satan" was the minister of music in GOD's Heavenly Realm, who is causing us all this evil we are plagued with! I pray GOD's Love will "Consume" any evil spiritual intent, that the author himself was not and is not aware of as we take out 2 words Reckless and Overwhelming and give GOD the praise! Or just let this one pass by and still give thanks in the name of Jesus and never sing it again. Amen!
I agree that the song is theologically incorrect, but it was pointed out to me that the cry of David's heart in the Psalms revealed perspectives of God's heart and self that were not theologically consistent, but an attempt to describe the incompatibility of God's love and sacrifice to our human understanding. This song is a heart cry in the genre of biblical poetry, not a theological statement of itself. If it trips up members of your church, sure don't play it. But understand it for what it is, don't place onto it something it is not.
You're one hundred percent right. This is a heart cry of astonishment and what God would do, has done for us at so great a cost. Paul said that preaching the gospel is foolishness, I guess that makes him a heathen... No, it appears foolishness to the Greek, same with God's love, to us, it's recklessness.
I completely rejected God's Love as being Reckless. Everything God does is Purposeful and precise. I personally wrote the author of the song and told him why I rejected his wording. I don't care if he won a Grammy for it or not. I threw it out as not biblical.
As a worship leader when I heard the word "reckless" it did not sit right with me in my spirit. I've never considered God's love as reckless. The definition of the word reckless has the meaning that a person or their actions are doing something without thinking or caring about the consequences of their action. Like when someone is "reckless in driving." The synonyms for reckless is: rash, careless, thoughtless, heedless, unheeding, hasty, overhasty, impetuous, impulsive, being a daredevil with a devil-may-care attitude. And I for one do NOT think God's love for us is reckless in any sense of the word. So, I changed that word for our congregation to sing "gracious" instead. It actually makes more sense with the other lyrics in the song that say, "I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away." No one even noticed that I did that till later when someone heard the song again on the radio and told me they preferred the word gracious too. I think perhaps what the writer of this song meant was that God's love is passionate, overwhelming, and intense. But the word "reckless" misses the mark plus it is NOT the character of God - all that He does has a purpose no matter how passionate. He in never impulsive with His love for us. Peace and grace!
Crazy, I found myself veering more and more away from this song just personally, feeling a little discomfort about it and I couldn’t point out why. I literally had no idea. And then out of nowhere, I came across a video discussing this song! Now I know why!
The answere if hinted in the next part. "There is no wall You wont kick down no lie You wont tear down coming after me" if a Fathers son was berried in an earthquake or storm, would not the father recklessly dig to find His own son. In others words God wants to break down the barriers that we put up and come through into your life. Besides His love is unconditional just read the gospels.
When I was much younger I was taught that "Praise songs" talk ABOUT GOD, and "Worship songs" talk TO GOD! People in the church get very reverent, raise their hands and sway while talking ABOUT GOD, instead of singing TO HIM! Imagine if your children talked ABOUT you in your presence instead of TO you. You, as their parent would be shouting, "Hey! I am right here! Talk to me, not about me!" I imagine Almighty GOD doing the same thing. Same with reading prayers out of someone else's book. GOD wants to hear from us personally and directly. HE is not interested in us reading what someone else wrote about him. Make it personal. HE sent HIS very best. We owe him no less.
You guys are right, God's love isn't "Reckless" from His perspective. But His willingness to leave the 99 to go after the 1 appears reckless to our human nature
Wonderful analysis, I view the word reckless as a poetic, this love seems reckless, does not mean that it is. Taking the song and its message that is how I will sing it.
I’m so glad I’m the one lost sheep sung about in this song who Jesus found and who appreciates this beautiful song and is not part of the 99 righteous ones having an issue over the word “reckless.”
Reckless is a poor choice of words. It would be like playing chess with a master genius who never makes a single mistake and saying their moves are reckless.
Reckless is not a part of the fruits of the Holy Spirit nor does our lord Jesus Christ lives reckless , or sends us spirits of reckless which leads to death.. he never wants us to live reckless in life..
I Also questioned that WORD!!! RECKLESS DENOTES OUT OF CONTROL! I WANT MORE COMPASSIONATE, AND TENDER LOVE OF GOD!!! THAT SONG WAS DESIGNED TO REACH THE YOUNG LOST SOULS!!!
Scarcely for a righteous man would one die, yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die: but God commendeth his love toward us that while we were yet sinners CHRIST died for us. This is reckless Love in a beautiful way.
The author has a version on RUclips that discusses the scripture when Jesus talks about the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep just for the 1... That this seems reckless because He trusts the 99 will be fine when He pursues the 1.. To the world this mindset doesn't make sense. I was one of the 1 that got away and I literally feel like God literally chased me down. Love the song. Amen.
Reckless in this song is not describing God's love being unthought through. It's in regard to the fact that though the consequences were severe he still did it. Words do matter. And I think the depth of meaning from this is strongly supported in the reference to the leaving the 99. Was it potentially dangerous to leave your other 99? Yes but did God count that risk worthy? Also yes! I think we can get so fickle in our scrutiny. Does this song still overall convey a deep love and accurate message? Yes.
Exactly. Religious people are so fickle. When you have a relationship with Jesus it’s different. One time I told God I felt unloved and The Holy Spirit told me to listen to this song..The Holy Spirit filled me with so much love it became too much to handle..made me fall to my knees sobbing and worshipping. It’s powerful and honestly overwhelming. God knows your heart, your personality and He knows exactly what you mean when you sing to him.
I just listened to "Reckless Love" Anthony Brown and Young Adult Choir @ First Baptist Church of Glenarden and I asked the question; God is language changing? This is truly a powerful rendition of Cory Asbury's Version. It makes me believe the impossible, Our Father GOD, Creator of Heaven and Earth King of the Universe might just be Overwhelming and Reckless for we know He will have what He so desires to have, It's called "Persistent" (persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering: lasting or enduring tenaciously: Wow! I Gladly and Willingly give-up my "free-will", He can just overwhelm me with His Love and "Word" Jesus Christ! I love this Song and if the enemy meant it for evil with its negative connotations of "Old English, well Our Father in Christ Jesus, Yeshua has turned it around for me in my "Heart" All praise and Honor unto GOD in Christ; the MOST HIGH GOD! Amen and Amen!
Thank you J.Piper & friends, for taking on this concern of many people, including myself. Reckless does bother me in describing God's Love... but I LOVE all the other lyrics of the song. So when I sing it... I just replace that word with a different word, like "perfect" or "wonderful" .... or even "jealous" :-) :-)
the writer of the song, Cory Asbury, has said that his intent by the song, and word "reckless" is that to us and our mind it seems to us reckless, our minds cant comprehend perfect love, to us it seems reckless. To us it seems reckless to love people so much to die for them, even when they hate you. That was the meaning behind "reckless" not that God is reckless, but to us it seems reckless.
I love the song and it’s strengthened my relationship to Jesus as well as countless others who were the one lost sheep Jesus left the 99 to find. I’m really sad to see the church in disunity over such a small issue as this. THIS IS NOT A BIG DEAL do not let Piper who is not God be a bigger authority on Christianity than he should be. At the end of the day he is just a man like you and me. Let’s just celebrate the fact that this song has helped millions of people in their walk with Christ and not make a big deal over nothing!
Lisa L , I don't know of any verse in the bible that literally says "amazing grace." But if I look for synonyms of amazing I find astonishing, astounding, awe-inspiring. These are positive words, words that reflect the speaker's adoration and praise for a person or feat. So, YES, God's grace IS amazing!! Did you also notice that we don't have such controversy over hymns like A Mighty Fortress or How Great Thou Art? Because the adjectives used to describe God and his nature (mighty, great, amazing) render appropriate worship, adoration and praise. But the word RECKLESS has these synonyms: THOUGHTLESS, CARELESS, FOOLhardy, UNWISE, IRRESPONSIBLE and RASH. Not a positive or adoring word to be found. Would any rational person be thrilled to be "praised" like that? Such "praise" is usually reserved for parents who are in trouble with child protective services. Is that the kind of father we think God is? God's word is the standard for believers--well at least in theory it's supposed to be. NO ONE can show from scripture that God is reckless in any of his attributes, character, nature, etc. There's not one verse, not even a shred to support that. GOD himself, Jesus, the prophets and apostles---NONE OF THEM ever called God reckless (or any of its synonyms) in any way. God is not a stressed out dad frantically pushing an empty baby stroller looking for his child. Far from it. This is a God who knows by name each of the innumerable stars he has created (Psalm 147:4). He has numbered each individual hair on the heads of his children. "That's hair number 122. This one's number 466." (Matthew 10:30, Luke 12:7). That's how in control and detail-oriented the living God is. He is by no means reckless, careless, thoughtless, rash, foolhardy or unwise. It's a marvel that people readily discard or exchange the God of His word and demand to settle for a reckless one of another person's flawed imagination. They choose a man's word (reckless) over God's words because it makes them feel good (Jeremiah 17:5-6). And, YES, every word we use does matter to him. Jesus said we'd be judged for every careless word we utter (Matthew 12:36-37).
There's plenty of people defending the lyrics but personally when I first heard the song I was terribly taken aback by the use of the word "reckless" to describe God. Whatever the writer's intention was behind it, he could have chosen a much better word.
How I understand the song: God reaches out to us whether we accept Him or not. He desires the salvation of all men, yet many could care less. Or like Hosea, who was told by God to marry a prostitute as an image of Gods marriage to Israel. God is hurt by our rejection, yet He keeps reaching out. He's reckless.
Whether the word reckless is right or wrong this song moved me to tears and helped me embrace Christ from a life of sin
When i sang it, i was led in the spirit to change it to "The PRECIOUS love of GOD..." couldn't call the Most High GOD 'reckless'. I pray that we will constantly be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Me too.... He wants me to Change Unfailing Love of God
I sing relentless..
Changed mine to wonderful love of God. Good good love can fit well 😊
I sing steadfast
When we sang this song i always sang "courageous"
God's love isn't reckless. It was planned from eternity past.
Exactly. I don’t think Hillsong read the word of God nor looked up look up the word reckless.... that’s not the love of God.
Our discernment in the church is such we have to ask a pastor if this is not an accurate song of faith. And he goes into semantics to explain all sides of reckless, and maybe this or that. We have been taught to be so politically correct and nice we can't use spiritual wisdom to make a decision. The point is; Jesus is not reckless. He is the Great I Am, the Lord who changes not, the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Known unto God are His works from the beginning. I'd rather take His Word than the sentiment of any songwriter.
@@heartofplaydoh7647 Reckless Love is written by Cory Asbury from Bethel Church in Redding California
Logan Sales Well that explains it. Thanks
Um... I'm pretttttty sure they're talking from the perspective of humans. Would we as humans be willing and able to chase down evey single soul and try to convince them of the glory of God (without God living inside us and calling us to do so)? No. Because as humans we don't respond so well when people slight us, betray us, abandon us, but God loves us and chases us down trying to show us the error of our ways all our lives until we surrender to Him fully (if we ever do. Not everyone will.)
I get what ya'll are saying because it does sound heretical. I believe that this world is a masterpiece meticulously planned, but I think what Hillsong is trying to do is show us and spread the word of how God does things that humans could never do. He forgives when a human would consider it crazy to forgive someone. He chases after us no matter what, when we don't deserve it. So yeah, to do so using human logic would be considered "reckless."
But...! This guy made a great point. We shouldn't say reckless because it implies that maybe God will eventually give up on us. That maybe God will eventually get so exhausted with our sin that he will give up.
There definitely needs to be an assessment of the connotation of the word used. I don't think this is a bad song. Not really. I hope that the cause behind this video and behind the comments that are appearing here are out of concern and not a want for division. We really don't need to be divided right now. I understand we need to be on the lookout for partial truth, "almost" truth, "almost" good. We have to remember that we are all human. We are not even capable of coming up with the words to properly describe God because he is so holy.
God's love isn't reckless. It's intentional.
But if u know that why does it matter 😂
@Private Setting I have joy. You should have some
@Private Setting you’re the one who sounds bitter not me
@Private Setting you know nothing about who I am or what I do. You’re just another internet warrior in the kingdom of God. YOU need to find YOUR path 😂
@Private Setting it’s not right back at me when you’re saying it about me. I didn’t even comment to you and you’re still insulting me…
Some virtues of God - one of these things is not like the other - and it’s easy to spot...
1. Holy
2. Loving
3. Generous
4. Patient
5. Reckless
6. Magnificent
7. Gentle
8. Beautiful
PsalmOneFortySix dot Two , um, I'll go with #5.
It's disturbing that people are stubbornly trampling on the centuries-old dictionary definition, the thesaurus, AND God's word. How many of them would take it as a compliment if s loved one said they were thoughtless? Would they be glad if their supervisor said they do careless work? Would they jump for joy if a financial planner was irresponsible with their hard-earned life's savings? No one in their right mind would want to be tagged as such. Yet it's okay to invoke poetic license when it comes to describing perhaps God's greatest attribute. AND call it worship. Where's the fear of God in that?
@@josedopwell9645 well said! 👍👏
Number 5 sir !
God's love is perfect and wonderful! We are the ones who are reckless!
Exactly. God is in no way reckless.
bezal benny ,EXACTLY! Phrases that I've heard all my life that use the word reckless (reckless driver, reckless endangerment, reckless disregard for human life or safety) have NEVER been complimentary, much less worshipful. Just because there's an emotional, feel good story behind the song that suddenly eliminates all the negative connotations associated with the word.
If I were face to face with a holy God would I dare call Him or any facet of His character reckless?
We're living in the time of the church of
Laodecia, when believers think their emotional opinions on God's love matter more than what He and the scriptures say about it. Like created clay talking back to the Potter.
Serite Ross stoning homosexuals isn't reckless?
And when did God stone homosexuals? And why are you bringing up something entirely unrelated to draw the discussion from the actual topic which is God's PERFECT love, not RECKLESS love. Go bother someone else with your tricks.
adfasd yeah tell us when God did that😂😂😂
The argument is that "reckless" is "not considering the consequence" of pain and suffering in giving of Himself to die for us.
But He DID consider the consequence, He knew exactly the pain He would have to endure. It was completely calculated. And He was absolutely burdened by the consequence of pain in Gethsemane. And I find that all the more beautiful, that despite the immense cost He KNEW it would bear Him, He still died for us anyway.
My God is not reckless, He made a firm, decisive, calculated choice to bear the painful cross and restore us to himself. That to me is amazing grace.
Mokkery well said.
Read Luke 15 please (song refers to it). All that counts is that God loves us so much, and his love is unstoppable. This song tells everyone about how great Gods love is for us. From the perspective of Luke 15 it seems reckless (in a good way). If your child is drowning would you even consider not jumping in the water to save it? Because it's dangerous even for you?
That is the love God holds for us, portrayed by the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ♡
This song touched many christians and non-christians, also me. There is indeed no wall He won't kick down, lie he won't tear down. Coming after me. Even when i fail him so so much.
And I don't deserve it
Still You gave yourself away
I have read Luke 15 and also the specific verse that inspired the songwriter. The commenter is talking about the omniscient nature of God, which enables Him to realise what the exact consequence of loving the humans will be. yet what is so amazing is that although God will always know exactly how much it will cost Him, He will choose to love us no matter what. That makes His love for us so precious, so special, and so perfect. In my opinion, 'reckless' is a bit crude of a word to describe such love.
Yeullim Completely agree with you, it's so unhuman how God loves us, and for me the song reminds me of that. I can understand if someone is burdened by the word reckless and doesn't feel right by the song. For me reckless still is a way of describing God's love. Fearless, unstoppable, relentless; Gods love is perfect. I'm positive our Father also loves the song.
Agreed. I tried to ‘defend’ the song but the idea of a reckless love for the God who predestines everything and is all-knowing, sovereign and transcends creation cannot possibly have love that is described as reckless. Nothing he does is reckless. Scientists say that God would be a mathematician. The song can be defended from an anthropomorphic perspective, but it is not adequate and insufficient. The song has great build-ups and stirs the emotion, that’s all..
I love it because it explains to me how God can love those that have done heinous acts but repented! It was freeing to me not to feel so guilty about receiving Gods grace as a stage 4 cancer patient! This song freed me to love God to a deeper level
I love this song as well. God has really touched me as well.
Cgilbert To Keith Savage and if you ever get to read the holy Quran it also say that God is most Gracious and most merciful and forgiving may peace be upon you
I can see your point but it’s important that we don’t get caught up in emotionalism. My friend Gods love is intentional and direct. He is not reckless, carefree or thoughtless. He loved you before the foundation of the world. That don’t sound like a very reckless love to me. This song is blasphemy.
This song has healed my heart through some serious dark times. His love has no limits for his lost sheep.
Why is God reckless because of some of us human beings commit Heinous things .
No no no ! Not biblical
I hope you pray about this one and I’m sure the Holy Spirit would guide you otherwise about that one word
God bless
You may want to take some deep breaths before reading these comments.
How about using "Steadfast" instead of reckless 🤷♂️
Seriously.
Hahaha
In Spanish it is sung “unconditional love of God” honestly though with this song It helped me come back to Christ. Because I was lost yet he found me. He is my Lord and Savior.
What the words should be honestly.
@@lauraelizabethbrown the love of God is conditional, however.
@@michaellemmen Is it? he died for the sins of the world before anyone got saved. Knowing that not everyone would receive/accept the gift of salvation. Sounds like unconditional love to me.
@@michaellemmen Nah its truly unconditional...it looks like conditional, because of our resistance to worldly desire and flesh.... once you come to him full heartly, i assure you it's the love we are thirsty for, and which is reckless love for his people to be saved from hell and come to heaven and live with him for eternal...
Excelent answer as always from Pastor John! I love the word Reckless word in this song, and when I'm singing I'm totally thinking in how UNUNDERSTANDABLE the love of God is, every time I'll cry thinking of Gods love singing this song.
In the live version of the song Cory explains what “reckless” in the song means
I am grateful to hear this discussion. I have hear the song once, but reckless really bothered me. I have not asked anyone in authority, so thanks for the question and the perspective.
i like the song but the word reckless is unfiT
Maybe think of it this way if the word reckless bothered you..maybe there is a reason,.. I would encourage you to go to GOD on this. Have a blessed day.
@@thatWitchywoman thanks for the suggestion. I have gone to the Lord and see in His word there is nothing reckless about Him.
Reckless. Its a word us humans can relate to. Its going after something w a risk. Its believing in another that you will go past the risk and fight for them!
A love that counts the cost, sees the sacrifice, knows the suffering and yet still acts is more noble and glorious than a love that is reckless.
Yes
When I first heard I would always say Precious Blood of God
So did I
I sing, "faithful love of God"
or precious love of god also
Selfless love of God fits nicely
I always say faithful
I’m so glad I’m not the only one that wondered about the song lyrics. God is Holy and to refer to Him as “reckless” is disrespectful. His love is bold and merciful and never ending... but never reckless or careless.
God judges the thoughts and intents of the heart. A person could quote scripture or sing Amazing Grace with disrespect. Another could use an unconventional word for God's love and say it with reverence and respect. Who are you to judge?
Stella'sJournal I think it’s weird that worship leaders and pastors are raving and pushing this unbiblical song! Is this the start of other worship songs to follow that are unscriptural?
I like to switch it to relentless
Exactly... reckless driving reckless drinking.. careless... no no that’s not Gods love. It’s ever lasting...John 3:16. God was not reckless when he gave His son. His love is perfect.
Right!!! Exactly my thoughts.
Maybe they çould have used relentless love of God.
More like selfless Don't you think?
Selfless sounds right.
Jealous may be a good one too.
Or maybe even radical love
Boundless
Or perfect
I absolutely love this song and Pastor John's explains it beautifully, with the amazing wisdom God has bless him with.
The word “selfless” should be substituted for “reckless.”
Reckless definitely describes the church that that band comes from.
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Lollll
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 lol
Cult like mindset definitely describes the church denomination that made this ridiculous judgmental video in the first place.
I don’t know why but I can’t stop laughing at this. You made my day.😂😂
No wonder i am not comfortable with that song, amazing!
Nobody has loved me as daring and confidently than God, that’s what this song is about. My spirit gets vibrant with this song, it’s gives me another glimpse of expression towards what words can hardly describe.
God’s love isn’t reckless to Him, it’s reckless to US. Ask any Church member for relationship advice with a person that betrays you, ignores you and goes after others. That Church member would tell you to drop that person like a fly. Yet that’s what we do to God and He loves us and welcomes us back every time.
PrincesseJen. AMEN!!!
I understand it may appear reckless to someone who doesn't know God. But if you truly know and understand God, His love does not appear reckless. It's the exact opposite of reckless!
great answer
My exact reply to someone two weeks ago because he was shutting the song down
but how about saying persistent love......or gracious love.....or epic love.......reckless sounds irreverent to me.
Our God is Holy, Gracious, Compassionate, Just, Righteous, Eternal, Healer, Provider, Shelter, Abundantly & Perfectly Loving... & so much more. Do you think reckless should join those beautiful truths about our Father & Lord?
The songwriter didn't say God was reckless. He described his love as reckless in the context of leaving the 99 in pursuit of the one lost sheep. Context matters. When you rip something from context and then create a straw man out of it so you can tear it down before others, do you suppose that's an act of "iron sharpening iron" or pride masquerading as piety?
Its blasphemous, that song. Disgusting.
I took pause as well, when I first heard this song at church. After praying about if I felt this was a song I could sing for heartfelt praise and worship, I came to the similar conclusion as Piper. That “reckless “ was a word that meant deep and without fail, the love of God. I am so glad he addressed this. We should always question things that don’t seem true or right, even in the church.
A better word be “relentless” I believe
Precious
Cory Asbury said that the reckless he means is that God would do anything to find that lost sheep
But this is incorrect as well. God is infinite and can do anything. If he's willing to do anything to find His lost sheep everyone would be saved.
@@lS-vb7ho I think he meant reckless to our fleshly nature. I agree it’s a bad choice of words but I see the perspective.
Maybe we call it selflesh love.....
Thats not what reckless means tho
In the Spanish version says unconditional love "amor sin condición" instead of reckless love
That's great. In german, they unfortunately kept the meaning of the original word (gewagt = bold/daring/reckless) :-/
I speak English and Spanish and I love the Spanish version so much more
In Portuguese it's 'bold'
Oh that's lovely
Who wants to have to explain this song every time they sing it?
Here's an idea. How about you direct your worship to God and stop worrying about what anyone else thinks? Why would you need to defend anything to anyone. Who are you there to worship? Whose endorsement are you seeking?
You shouldn't have to if you read the Bible and obeyed it, it would be common sense that God is good in all ways and is his love is very reckless for you and I and will go out to every measure to get to your heart. It is the "Simple" gospel. No
Why do we have to explain it? God knows what is in our hearts even what we cannot explain to ourselves. God bless
@@fatimareyes3594 Don’t let your good be evil spoken of. Reckless is not a good word AT ALL God is sovereign strategic and Purposeful nothing reckless about Him and yes God do care explain Numbers and Leviticus Him telling us exactly how God wanted us to worship Him in the old covenant. It matters. Don’t fall into that trap God will accept whatever I give Him. Ephesians 4:30 part a.
@Fatima Reyes that's right and the heart can be deceiving as well. You can't forget that either. 😉
Pastor John, thanks for being a Godly role model to us and teaching us how to speak the truth in love. You taught me how to be gracious, not be right.
It really seems to me that God knew what he was doing from the beginning and all the way through to the end. If he didnt .... its basically saying hes not sovereign. So every Sunday my church sings this song and I inwardly cringe .
Lindakay Raney God definitely knew what he was doing! Watch Cory’s video explaining the song. He uses “reckless” because God knew what he was doing, and still gave himself to save us.
@@23home yes, let's rush to listen to a singer's mangled and incorrect interpretation of a parable rather than prayerfully and carefully being led by the Holy Spirit to understand what Jesus meant. What could possibly go wrong with that?
Lindakay Raney we left or church over this song and more songs like it from hillsong our church partnered with hillsong which sealed our tomb so we walked out of that grave ,And Jesus is our Lord and Savior,,not Hillsong or Christ Fellowship,, mega churches are falling like dominoes away from the Truth , big churches, big bills ,little faith, so if your cringing change churhes and make the Lord Jesus and your spirt happy.
I watched this video yesterday morning and the lyrics to this song and the message of the video and comments went through my head off and on all day long and into the night. At 3:33 this morning I woke up and the song was there again. Immediately these two phrases came to mind ~ with abandon & no restraints. That's how much God loves us, and could be said to be a 'reckless love'.
Very good.
3 am in the morning is witching hr though isnt it i always find it weird when i wake up around this time no reason at all :/
I love the song. So glad it speaks to your heart as it does mines! Since I am on a worship team and sing this song it rings into my heart and speaks of God's love which searches for us and "leaves the ninety-nine" to find us. To God be all glory, honor and praise, amen!
Love this explanation. Thanks for sharing.
you encouraged me to look this up: Definition of reckless
1 : marked by lack of proper caution : careless of consequences.....This is Totally God's love for Us....Thank you! I have a sensitivity to the Spirit and can be quenched when I hear something anti-God....But this song blessed my Spirit and I worshiped God when I first heard it...
When our church sings this during worship, I always substitute "perfect" whenever it says "reckless". To me it better fits the God I have come to know and continue to learn about.
💕
I thought I was the only one that did this
Thank you for this Pastor John. I completely agree with you.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who wondered about the song lyrics
Never listened to it because I was concerned if it were biblical
You're not the only one.
Same!!! Can’t believe this vid was suggested. I was just think the other day: why is it such a trendy thing to describe Gods love as “reckless”? So stupid...
Karlie Hogan follow yoir convictions. Its the only thing that is separating the church/bride from the church/harlot. Keep the faith.
Jennifer Taylor then you’ve missed out on encountering the Holy Spirit.
This was such an awaited question! Thanks a lot!
Ive loved this song so much and have sung it from my heart. Joy has overflowed while i have sung it. But one day when i was singing it and got to the word reckless, the word "perfect" came out instead. So now everytime im singing it "perfect" comes out 😆 I love the song ❤
That's what I have replaced "reckless" with as well. I get what the artist was trying to convey but His love is perfect. Other than, it's a beautiful song
The song is by Cory Asbury, been listening and loving this song for three years now. Pastor John’s description of God’s love looking reckless to an outsider is almost certainly Asbury’s intention behind the song, and is what I believe most believers in my community think of when singing this song. He talks about it in one of his live videos about the word itself, and how it does NOT mean that God himself is reckless, but it’s referring to the parable of the lost sheep and how are yes, to an outsider, that kind of love would look foolish to an outsider. We love this song because we love the idea of being pursued by God, by His love, like He pursues the sheep. It is not praising some false notion that God is reckless. This may need to be cleared up for new believers, which is where I believe the controversy comes from, but to most solid believers in the Christian community, the real meaning is obvious. It’s easy to see the confusion though. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say Asbury almost redefined the word in the song. The word Reckless in the song is probably closer in definition to Relentless.
Dr. Piper,
Thank you for posting this discussion. As a worship leader, my pastor and I have discussions like this with all sorts of songs including reckless love. This was a very good video.
The song is talking about God’s love being reckless in the sense of he doesn’t care what happens to Himself. The song says “there’s no shadow you won’t light up, mountain you won’t climb up coming after me.” That’s saying that God would do anything for us. He would willingly put Himself in harms way for us. John 15:13 says “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Here is how I understand the song
Reckless love - when a person is recklessly in love with you it means he doesn't care whether you will love him back or not, he will still love and serve you. How Jesus died on the cross for all even those who hated Him and will never come to love Him.
Before I spoke a word You were singing over me - since God is omniscient even before we were born He already knows which of us will be for Him.
Before I took a breath You breathed Your life in me - I was dead in my sin but the Word breathed life into my dead spirit
@Agent 88 Spot on! :-D
Fatima, you have a problem. Your conclusion is that "He already knows which of us will be for Him." But Scripture gives us clearly the answer; No One will be for Him. Scripture states this emphatically in Psalm 14, Psalm 53, and in Romans 3:10. Here is one example in Psalm 14.
The fool says in his heart,“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is none who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
******not even one.****
So, reckless can not mean what you proclaim it to mean. God's love was fixed upon people who would not seek him (for there are no others). So his love is direct, direct upon the people whom He chooses to redeem.
Blessings to you, and may you take this to God through Scripture and ask Him if this be true or false.
@@CharlesBusada Exactly so Charles. Thanks.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. " Romans 5:8
"...when a person is recklessly in love with you it means he doesn't care whether you will love him back or not, he will still love and serve you.."
That is not what 'recklessly in love with you' means, though it might mean that to you ofcourse, but that is twisting what it means to suit you and to appease the song writer.
You seem to be confusing the word *reckless* with the words *unconditional* or *selfless*.
Both of those ofcourse, would fit with God's Love.
We need to know the Truth for it to set us free.
The dictionary definition of reckless is what we need to know and it is wholely unsuitable in the song about God's Love.
Reckless:
careless; heedless.
Not regarding consequences; headlong and irresponsible; rash.
Acting or done with a lack of care or caution; careless or irresponsible.
Doing things without fear or proper thought.
Trigger-happy. Impetuous. Devil-may-care. Dare-devil.
Fool-hardy. Throwing caution to the wind.
Using the word "reckless" just sullies/tarnishes the Love of God with a worldy, catchy phrase, imo. x
Fatima Reyes I love your explanation!!!!!!
How I understand 'reckless' love in this song.
As a parent I have such strong uncompromising love for my children that in life as they face trials & tribulations, struggles that have been life endangering, that nothing has stood as such a threat to my physical body that I would have 'recklessly' given myself to save them, even if the consequence of torture & death were to be the price i paid.
I absolutely love this song but I did think reckless wasn't the right word, I kept singing precious love of God.
God’s Love is perfect. For us how i say how reckless this perfect love to be given to sinners like us. A perfect love, that put Jesus on that cross for our sin. This song is just amazing:)
Nevertheless, the song has touched me moved me toward God. Praise God!
Paul Eugene Amen
Paul, I’m thankful that this song moved you toward God and I pray you continue to be moved towards him mind body and soul. If you’re not already a brother, I hope you become one someday and we get to sing around the throne together. Don’t let people detract you from finding The Light.
You're assuming a lot about what I'm "wanting" to do. I'm going to end my end of the conversation here and sincerely pray that everyone reading this is able to give each other the benefit of the doubt. That, my friend, is what's running rampant in Christianity.
God's love is perfect. Not rescues
Reckless. And honestly these songs now adays paint God in the wrong light. They paint God as a needy and reckless God who just needs us so bad that he's begging us and pleading for us to follow. God doesn't need us, we need him. Period. I get that people find this song to be comforting but of course it does. It's a song telling you God loves you so much he would be reckless. But comforting or not that's not God. God loves you but if you turn from him you will feel his wrath. Jesus said in revelation that some Christians are Luke warm and he will chew them up and spit them out.
If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord--if you repent and believe--you are saved. Period, exclamation point. Don't add more layers of requirement or confusion for people. Let people worship, even if YOU think it's "off" the way they want to worship that seems faithful to them. I'm sick of this "SOLID Christian" or "reaaal Christian" culture. NO. There is One True God, One True Way to salvation, and a world of perishing people saved by Grace alone. Nothing else. This type of mincing of words is confusing and damaging and ONLY serves to divide and create hierarchy of who has better theology. Nope nope nope nope.
I think the way they use Reckless is like saying its Audacious and Relentless. The meaning of words are always changing. Awful used to mean “worthy of awe'' But it doesn't anymore. I Love this song, It makes me think of Gomer and Hosea, Reading that story in the bible changed my life, my whole view of Gods love changed. I now wear a purity ring that even thou it shows I'm pure, the main reason I got it was to remind me of Gods promise and love for me and my love for him. When I sing this song I sing it from my heart. I do take what it says with a grain of salt, because I know what it says is a little shaky theology, but I believe it comes from the heart. You judge yourself, if you can't sing it, Praise God sing something that speaks to you, but don't condemn others for singing this song. God is praised! And I really don't think anyone singing this song is singing it thinking that the way God loves is reckless in a negative way. And I'd like to add, everyone saying that we shouldn't use words that are from human perspective, all of psalms is from Davids perspective, he wrote from his heart, if he felt like God had left him, and he had no hope of God coming back, He said it. Yes he had to turn it around to the bible truth in the end and say even if this is how I see you, I know its not how you really are God, And I think people can do that with this song. They know in their own minds Gods love seems crazy, but they know he isn't crazy, he's God! Sovereign, Almighty, all-knowing, peace giving God. That's my take on it. If you disagree that's fine, please comment Nicely, no rude comments. We can encourage each other, and reprimand each other with Love. :D God bless. P.s Sorry to everyone who liked my comment before I added all the stuff you might not agree with.
She Dragon EXCELLENT ANSWER!!!
He could have said relentless then XD lol
Could I not use that argument to write a song called "Repulsive Love" or "Corrupt Love" or "Obscene Love" ...etc and say it comes from the heart or that definitions can change?
That is a very good point. Something to really think about. But I still see it as almost every word has synonyms and if you can use reckless to describe something that is audacious, I think it still works. The antonyms of Reckless is careful, God is careful, But he's not careful in an anxious or fearful way, so I understand how important it is to use wisdom with your words. I wouldn't have used Reckless if I wrote the song either, But I still understand what he is saying. Its like when teachers say ''May I!'' when you ask ''Can I.'' Yes the right words are important, But at the same time the meaning is the same. Context is important to, I don't believe there is a context or synonym that would make Repulsive, Obscene, or Corrupt, love at all acceptable to use as examples of God's love in 2018. But a hundred years from now the words meaning could be changed so much that they're acceptable. I do think this is a great discussion topic though.
Finally someone with common sense
I just sing “Relentless Love of God” instead.
Me 2
Wowww Pastor! Thanks for this one!
When you don't conform to scripture, your concept of God ends up as a mere reflection of your own self. So if you're reckless in your theology, it should come as no surprise that you think of God as reckless as well.
tchristian04 this is such a lazy critique. Cory has made it very clear that he means man might percieve the degree to which God loves as reckless. He clearly said that God is not reckless and even the lyrics in the verses speak to God's intentional, careful love for his children.
The wording Cory chose is confusing to some and therefore problematic. He should have chosen a different word IMO. Your critique is from a place of ignorance on the matter however. It would take like 5 seconds of consideration to expose what you've said here as a completely invalid critique.
southern Baptist? listen to the discussion again.. my theology "well! I love Jesus, belive He is the only way, I love Jesus and have placed my fragile weak and only life in him
did you read my second paragraph? I said the wording he chose was problematic. The point of my reply was to point out that tchristian04's critique was lazy.
@@adamhammond9985 God is Not A God of Confusion. Becareful who you follow love.💕
Thank you. When I saw the word reckless my heart or spirit warned me, but I heard the content of the lyrics and the meaning of the 99 sheep for the lost 1 I kind of understood what the word reckless meant. Thank you for this view !!
It's easier to STAY AWAY FROM this song than to try to figure it out!!!
I see this song as Blasphemy.
I used to participate and replace this word with “selfless”. The Holy Spirit brought me to this. Later, God started to tell me, (just walk away)!
Why do we sing to the Lord. To testify of Him?! Yes. Why would we ever testify that God was careless to us?
I felt the same way. I’m one that studies lyrics so when I heard the word “reckless” I did not like it, but just for one word I won’t stop listening or better yet singing it. I just replaced the word “reckless” with restless. It makes more sense to me that God’s Love is restless towards us. He will never stop loving me.
Funny how people are trying to redefine the word “reckless”. It means what it means, words and precision matter. That is the case of Scripture studies, theological truths and even worship. Having said that, I would not demonize it. Sam Storms wrote a good article about it. Google it.
The word clearly has an negative connotation:
djective
(of a person or their actions) without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action.
"reckless driving"
synonyms: rash, careless, thoughtless, heedless, unheeding, hasty, overhasty, precipitate, precipitous, impetuous, impulsive, daredevil, devil-may-care; irresponsible, foolhardy, audacious, overadventurous; ill-advised, injudicious, madcap, imprudent, unwise, ill-considered
The negative connotation is EXACTLY why the word is powerful in this context. Just like the prodigal son's brother was shocked and dismayed that his father would welcome the prodigal home and throw a party for him, when we view the extravagant love of God, it seems reckless to us. From a logical standpoint, it doesn't make sense. A shepherd leaving 99 sheep unattended to pursue one lost sheep seems reckless. A God sending his Son to die for his enemies "while we were yet sinners" seems reckless. It's the negative connotation of this word that draws a stark comparison between our limited, human view of things and the sovereign extravagant love of God.
Good point! Thanks for your response brother! I appreciate the idea of seeking to write powerful things for the glory of God.
Let me respectfully disagree:
I have issues on writing a song for worship that gives God a description according to what "seems to us". If the song said something like it " your love seems reckless to me", I would not have a problem with the word. God's love seems reckless to us. But God's love is not reckless. Of course, the impact is not the same and is not as emotional... but I think impact and emotions don't come first, worship to God should be in TRUTH according to scripture, not according to my perceptions.
To say it in another way, let's say that I read the Old Testament and I see that God forgives and restores Israel over and over... that seems to me that God's commandments are maybe not as important to Him as he leads us to believe. I could write a song that talks about how God's love is bigger than our sin because he is willing to overlook our sin in order to save us. Is that true? Absolutely not! Sin is so important that he sent his son to pay for it. Is there some truth in my perception, maybe, but there are details that are not accurate...
I'm not saying that this song will start a heresy... but, we need to care for the word and the truth in the most serious ways possible because history proves that this is how heresies start, we talk about God from our own perceptions, and then suddenly a whole theology is built around it.
On the other hand, I don't think the Biblical references you give make God seem reckelss anyway. Let me address each one and first notice what recless means "without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action":
1. The prodical son. It's a parable and it needs to be interpreted as such, the brother was not thinking it was reckless, he was clearly Jelous and it's representing the people of Israel, specially his leaders.
2. The 99. God does not seem reckless here either. This parable is about God's love for the lost. But in reallity, God can't "not take care" of some to go take care of others. He is in control of everything. The point of the parable is that he loves us deeply and he will do everthing to find us (meaning, giving his own son for us) wich takes us to the next example...
3. God sending his son for us. That was not done in a recless way. God cared deeply about the concequences and actually was seeking to acomplish specific things (not hasty, not rash, careless, thoughtless, heedless, unheeding, hasty, overhasty, precipitate, precipitous, impetuous, impulsive... all of these synonims of "reckless")
Wonderful clarifications...
The singer is from Bethel Church (Bill Johnson), so I can assume that his ''Reckless'' is more of how the ''word of faith/prosperity gospel'' theology defines reckless.
Exactly. Modern church garbage.
All I KNOW IS "PEOPLE" even Christians will FIND what we are LOOKING FOR. When I first heard this song, I was driving and had to PULL OVER & WORSHIP My Lord, Jesus Christ PERIOD! I didn't & STILL DO NOT hear the word "RECKLESS" as a disrespectful word to the character of Trinity. I heard it as the OPPOSITE! His LOVE is EVERLASTING & HAS NO END. His Love ran me DOWN as a non church goer EARLY in life and SNATCHED me out of DARKNESS into HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT at 21!
SO THIS SONG sends ME DIRECTLY INTO WORSHIP MODE! #TYJESUSForREAL
love the song remember for God so loved the world He gave His only Son, instead of reckless love should be eternal love, Romans 10:13 for who so ever call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Amen!
Every time someone plays this at a fellowship I just replace the word with relentless! Always! I never refer to his love as reckless. It’s calculated and with reason.
Politically correct christians exist too
😂
More like theologically and biblically accurate Christians.
@@johndanielvillanueva8604 yess
God's love has never been "reckless" and will never be reckless. Every peril and consequence is already known and considered and weighed by him before he leaves the 99 to bring back the one. God's love is steadfast and never changing. It is man's love that is reckless. A little leven can permeate the entire loaf. Also we will answer for the use of every word for God knows the deepths of the heart and soul even to the knowing of the meaning we have perceived and projected forth of a word. I will sing that God saved me from my reckless love by his unrelenting steadfast love.
This is a great explanation. God loves reckless ppl!!
We should switch the word reckless to selfless. That would work much better.
Or priceless.
Just change 2 letters: Restless
Just my opinion - but selfless isn't a powerful enough word to describe the sacrifice Jesus made. Letting someone step in front of you at the grocery store check out. Sacrificing buying something for yourself to give to the poor. These are selfless acts. Willingly giving up your life - allowing others to torture you to save the lives of others ..... goes beyond that. I'm not sure there is even a word in the english language powerful enough to truly capture the gravity of such actions. Not just to have these things done to you - but to consciously volunteer to have them done to you.
This is a love for which we don't really have a word. All adjectives fail to properly describe it - so I understand why the song writer chose "reckless" because it speaks to the complete unfathomable depth of his love. The total and utter disregard he had for his own life, emotions and the pain he would have to endure to ensure we had life
I reckon "Steadfast"
Kelvin Lo The thing that is reckless is His Love! Remember that Jesus preached the Gospel even though somepeople are telling Him to stop or He will face the consequences of His action. The Shepherd will look for that one last sheep and leave the other sheep hence the ninety nine because He knew that His those sheep are safe but their is one lost and He will find that Lost sheep because everyone is important.
That's my view, that His Love will chase you and will never stop just to let you know how much He love you! God bless
The term Pharisee is often used to silence Christians from having dissenting opinions.
He doesnt chase us, we are to chase Him. He's also a mighty judge and wont seem so loving pretty soon.
Well the Bible states the contrary!
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NKJV
While you were far from Him and in sin He chased you, pursuit you. I can't be the other way around because without The Holy Spirit you don't know that you are sinning in need of salvation
Marius marius I was emphasizing the word chase. He may convict and we move toward Him. But chase? Hummmm. To me it makes Him seem weak. He is King and we come after Him and seek His heart.
Everyone offended by this is totally totally missing the message. It’s from a human perspective. Gods love is so unbelievable it seems almost reckless to us.
Reckless as I’m not caring about yourself you love so much. Come on people. That song is absolutely beautiful it brings me to tears Every time. I feel so close to God when I hear that song.
If you think God is upset about that with all the sin he forgives. you’re out of your minds.
Went and read what this guy meant by it and this is what he said,
“I see the love of God as something wild, insane, crazy. The way that he pursues, chases us down, loves, I believe, is reckless. We were going after that really furious, violent language to speak of the nature of the love of God.”
And that my friend are the words of someone who has no idea what the Bible looks like.
Perfectly exlained. The words that were used to die or extremely important and I believe we should be very aware of that. Even the Lord tells us the power of life and death is in the tongue
Gods loved is not reckless BUT PERFECT
Those synonyms for ‘reckless’ describe me more than they describe our sovereign God
Im glad he said it...Words matter. I have always felt that way. I did the same analysis with my Thesaurus to make there wasn't some hidden, little used definition that i wasn't aware of.
GOD is not reckless...His love is unending and amazing however!
I listened to an interview from the Author of "Reckless Love," there was a solid and Biblical intent behind this song. However, I listened because I had a cautious response to the word myself. It didn't sit right within me. It's evidence of the current generation and their embrace of faith in an ever evolving and dark world. It's a beautiful expression of why and how new believers can rest in the power of God's love in total abandon and surrender.
I first heard my churches minister of music play just the music; I said this is beautiful, I got excited and told someone about it and even said give the Lyrics to your minister of music, she said she would look it up on RUclips and listen to it. I went home start listening to it and commented how beautiful it was; then something struck my senses and I looked the word "Reckless" up (negative connotations) I said that's not GOD, old English said "wicked". Then I looked up overwhelming; I said what happened to "freewill and choice", after that I said, how do I go back and tell them this song is not biblical; moreover, what about the minister of music even the Pastor. Wow! Thought about leaving Reckless and Overwhelming Out for God's Love is truly never-ending. Beautiful music and beautiful song but if I have to change it, I'm thinking this song is not of God even though it has some "truth" it also has distortions about who GOD is. We must be careful for "Satan" was the minister of music in GOD's Heavenly Realm, who is causing us all this evil we are plagued with! I pray GOD's Love will "Consume" any evil spiritual intent, that the author himself was not and is not aware of as we take out 2 words Reckless and Overwhelming and give GOD the praise! Or just let this one pass by and still give thanks in the name of Jesus and never sing it again. Amen!
I thought I was the only one who had a problem with that. “Reckless” does NOT biblically express God.
I agree that the song is theologically incorrect, but it was pointed out to me that the cry of David's heart in the Psalms revealed perspectives of God's heart and self that were not theologically consistent, but an attempt to describe the incompatibility of God's love and sacrifice to our human understanding. This song is a heart cry in the genre of biblical poetry, not a theological statement of itself. If it trips up members of your church, sure don't play it. But understand it for what it is, don't place onto it something it is not.
No you're wrong... Reckless definition right here
Reckless--careless mindless heedless. None of that is God.
You're one hundred percent right. This is a heart cry of astonishment and what God would do, has done for us at so great a cost. Paul said that preaching the gospel is foolishness, I guess that makes him a heathen... No, it appears foolishness to the Greek, same with God's love, to us, it's recklessness.
I like your statement.
I completely rejected God's Love as being Reckless. Everything God does is Purposeful and precise. I personally wrote the author of the song and told him why I rejected his wording. I don't care if he won a Grammy for it or not.
I threw it out as not biblical.
As a worship leader when I heard the word "reckless" it did not sit right with me in my spirit. I've never considered God's love as reckless. The definition of the word reckless has the meaning that a person or their actions are doing something without thinking or caring about the consequences of their action.
Like when someone is "reckless in driving."
The synonyms for reckless is: rash, careless, thoughtless, heedless, unheeding, hasty, overhasty, impetuous, impulsive, being a daredevil with a devil-may-care attitude. And I for one do NOT think God's love for us is reckless in any sense of the word.
So, I changed that word for our congregation to sing "gracious" instead. It actually makes more sense with the other lyrics in the song that say, "I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away." No one even noticed that I did that till later when someone heard the song again on the radio and told me they preferred the word gracious too.
I think perhaps what the writer of this song meant was that God's love is passionate, overwhelming, and intense. But the word "reckless" misses the mark plus it is NOT the character of God - all that He does has a purpose no matter how passionate. He in never impulsive with His love for us. Peace and grace!
Crazy, I found myself veering more and more away from this song just personally, feeling a little discomfort about it and I couldn’t point out why. I literally had no idea. And then out of nowhere, I came across a video discussing this song! Now I know why!
Yeah, “Reckless” is a poor choice of words when describing God and His love for us.
The answere if hinted in the next part.
"There is no wall You wont kick down no lie You wont tear down coming after me"
if a Fathers son was berried in an earthquake or storm, would not the father recklessly dig to find His own son. In others words God wants to break down the barriers that we put up and come through into your life.
Besides His love is unconditional just read the gospels.
Caleb Blackburn wow
When I was much younger I was taught that "Praise songs" talk ABOUT GOD, and "Worship songs" talk TO GOD! People in the church get very reverent, raise their hands and sway while talking ABOUT GOD, instead of singing TO HIM! Imagine if your children talked ABOUT you in your presence instead of TO you. You, as their parent would be shouting, "Hey! I am right here! Talk to me, not about me!" I imagine Almighty GOD doing the same thing. Same with reading prayers out of someone else's book. GOD wants to hear from us personally and directly. HE is not interested in us reading what someone else wrote about him. Make it personal. HE sent HIS very best. We owe him no less.
You guys are right, God's love isn't "Reckless" from His perspective. But His willingness to leave the 99 to go after the 1 appears reckless to our human nature
This is why I love Piper. God bless you sir
Wonderful analysis, I view the word reckless as a poetic, this love seems reckless, does not mean that it is. Taking the song and its message that is how I will sing it.
I never dissected this word so much when I listen or sing the song. I just always thought it meant God's never failing/abandoning love
One lyric won’t change what I think of the rest of the song, I love it and I know that God will always chase after me
I’m so glad I’m the one lost sheep sung about in this song who Jesus found and who appreciates this beautiful song and is not part of the 99 righteous ones having an issue over the word “reckless.”
.
I can't believe any pastor would allow this song in his church. Perhaps he meant to say "Restless"
Reckless is a poor choice of words. It would be like playing chess with a master genius who never makes a single mistake and saying their moves are reckless.
At my church we sing perfect love of God instead of reckless love
Reckless is not a part of the fruits of the Holy Spirit nor does our lord Jesus Christ lives reckless , or sends us spirits of reckless which leads to death.. he never wants us to live reckless in life..
I Also questioned that WORD!!! RECKLESS DENOTES OUT OF CONTROL! I WANT MORE COMPASSIONATE, AND TENDER LOVE OF GOD!!! THAT SONG WAS DESIGNED TO REACH THE YOUNG LOST SOULS!!!
Scarcely for a righteous man would one die, yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die: but God commendeth his love toward us that while we were yet sinners CHRIST died for us. This is reckless Love in a beautiful way.
The author has a version on RUclips that discusses the scripture when Jesus talks about the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep just for the 1... That this seems reckless because He trusts the 99 will be fine when He pursues the 1.. To the world this mindset doesn't make sense. I was one of the 1 that got away and I literally feel like God literally chased me down. Love the song. Amen.
Reckless in this song is not describing God's love being unthought through. It's in regard to the fact that though the consequences were severe he still did it. Words do matter. And I think the depth of meaning from this is strongly supported in the reference to the leaving the 99. Was it potentially dangerous to leave your other 99? Yes but did God count that risk worthy? Also yes! I think we can get so fickle in our scrutiny. Does this song still overall convey a deep love and accurate message? Yes.
Good way to see it thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I like your statement too.
Exactly. Religious people are so fickle. When you have a relationship with Jesus it’s different. One time I told God I felt unloved and The Holy Spirit told me to listen to this song..The Holy Spirit filled me with so much love it became too much to handle..made me fall to my knees sobbing and worshipping. It’s powerful and honestly overwhelming. God knows your heart, your personality and He knows exactly what you mean when you sing to him.
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I just listened to "Reckless Love" Anthony Brown and Young Adult Choir @ First Baptist Church of Glenarden and I asked the question; God is language changing? This is truly a powerful rendition of Cory Asbury's Version. It makes me believe the impossible, Our Father GOD, Creator of Heaven and Earth King of the Universe might just be Overwhelming and Reckless for we know He will have what He so desires to have, It's called "Persistent" (persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering:
lasting or enduring tenaciously: Wow! I Gladly and Willingly give-up my "free-will", He can just overwhelm me with His Love and "Word" Jesus Christ! I love this Song and if the enemy meant it for evil with its negative connotations of "Old English, well Our Father in Christ Jesus, Yeshua has turned it around for me in my "Heart" All praise and Honor unto GOD in Christ; the MOST HIGH GOD! Amen and Amen!
Thank you J.Piper & friends, for taking on this concern of many people, including myself.
Reckless does bother me in describing God's Love... but I LOVE all the other lyrics of the song. So when I sing it... I just replace that word with a different word, like "perfect" or "wonderful" .... or even "jealous" :-) :-)
the writer of the song, Cory Asbury, has said that his intent by the song, and word "reckless" is that to us and our mind it seems to us reckless, our minds cant comprehend perfect love, to us it seems reckless. To us it seems reckless to love people so much to die for them, even when they hate you. That was the meaning behind "reckless" not that God is reckless, but to us it seems reckless.
Exactly. It’s not trying to say that God is actually reckless, it’s that we as humans would view his perfect love as reckless.
Kayla for real! and honestly im not a huge fan if corys just bc he is with bethel music but still
I love the song and it’s strengthened my relationship to Jesus as well as countless others who were the one lost sheep Jesus left the 99 to find. I’m really sad to see the church in disunity over such a small issue as this. THIS IS NOT A BIG DEAL do not let Piper who is not God be a bigger authority on Christianity than he should be. At the end of the day he is just a man like you and me. Let’s just celebrate the fact that this song has helped millions of people in their walk with Christ and not make a big deal over nothing!
Lisa L , I don't know of any verse in the bible that literally says "amazing grace." But if I look for synonyms of amazing I find astonishing, astounding, awe-inspiring. These are positive words, words that reflect the speaker's adoration and praise for a person or feat. So, YES, God's grace IS amazing!! Did you also notice that we don't have such controversy over hymns like A Mighty Fortress or How Great Thou Art? Because the adjectives used to describe God and his nature (mighty, great, amazing) render appropriate worship, adoration and praise.
But the word RECKLESS has these synonyms: THOUGHTLESS, CARELESS, FOOLhardy, UNWISE, IRRESPONSIBLE and RASH. Not a positive or adoring word to be found. Would any rational person be thrilled to be "praised" like that? Such "praise" is usually reserved for parents who are in trouble with child protective services. Is that the kind of father we think God is?
God's word is the standard for believers--well at least in theory it's supposed to be. NO ONE can show from scripture that God is reckless in any of his attributes, character, nature, etc. There's not one verse, not even a shred to support that. GOD himself, Jesus, the prophets and apostles---NONE OF THEM ever called God reckless (or any of its synonyms) in any way. God is not a stressed out dad frantically pushing an empty baby stroller looking for his child. Far from it.
This is a God who knows by name each of the innumerable stars he has created (Psalm 147:4). He has numbered each individual hair on the heads of his children. "That's hair number 122. This one's number 466." (Matthew 10:30, Luke 12:7). That's how in control and detail-oriented the living God is. He is by no means reckless, careless, thoughtless, rash, foolhardy or unwise. It's a marvel that people readily discard or exchange the God of His word and demand to settle for a reckless one of another person's flawed imagination. They choose a man's word (reckless) over God's words because it makes them feel good (Jeremiah 17:5-6). And, YES, every word we use does matter to him. Jesus said we'd be judged for every careless word we utter (Matthew 12:36-37).
There's plenty of people defending the lyrics but personally when I first heard the song I was terribly taken aback by the use of the word "reckless" to describe God. Whatever the writer's intention was behind it, he could have chosen a much better word.
How I understand the song: God reaches out to us whether we accept Him or not. He desires the salvation of all men, yet many could care less. Or like Hosea, who was told by God to marry a prostitute as an image of Gods marriage to Israel. God is hurt by our rejection, yet He keeps reaching out. He's reckless.