Is ‘Reckless Love’ an Accurate Depiction of God?
Preacher and author A.W. Tozer famously stated in his book “Knowledge of the Holy” that what a person thinks about God is the most important thing about him or her. Continuing this line of thinking, it would follow that what a worship song causes those singing to think about God is the most important thing about the song.
What then, is to be made of the lyrics, “O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God” in the song “Reckless Love?” Throughout the Bible, it is made clear that the creator of the universe is made up of a love that is vast beyond comprehension. No issue there.
However, the word “reckless” is an inaccurate depiction of God and his love, which is the gravest error a worship song could make.
One of the definitions for reckless from Dictionary.com is being “utterly unconcerned about the consequence of an action.” This definition was echoed by the writer of this song, Cory Asbury, who explained the lyrics in the midst of singing the song at Bethel Church. Asbury stated that God did not consider himself first and that his love is not self-serving.
“We are not saying that God himself is reckless,” Asbury said. “He is not crazy. We are saying that how he loves is in many ways quite so. He is utterly unconcerned with the consequences of his own actions with regard to his own safety, comfort and well-being”
In laying a foundation, it must be understood that God’s character is always reflected in his actions. He cannot act outside of who he is. So, to say that God acted recklessly is to say that God himself is reckless.
Then, considering God’s love as reckless because he does not consider himself first, is shown to be wrong. In fact, God is primarily concerned with his own glory. God still loves every person immensely. More than we could ever grasp, but in a sermon titled “God is for God,” pastor and author Matt Chandler reminded his audience that, “the Bible is not about you.”
This seems harsh at first. God being a jealous god who is after his own glory sounds wrong to human ears. But it must be realized that God is for God because it is only in him that true satisfaction is found. This ultimate contentment would be undermined if God placed anything above himself because he would be leading us astray. It would cause people to seek rest and purpose in places they can never be found.
For God to love well and bring about the joy of all mankind, he must be concerned with his glory above all else. To grasp this is to grasp what the Bible is all about.
The second definition Dictionary.com gives of reckless is to be “characterized by or proceeding from such carelessness.” This definition further communicates a faulty view of God.
It is humbling and amazing to picture Jesus deciding to come to Earth to save sinners, no matter the cost. That Jesus came to Earth ready to do absolutely whatever it would take to redeem mankind, a decision he followed through with to the point of dying on a cross. For Jesus to recklessly commit himself to a cause unconcerned and unaware of the consequences seems like a great act of love.
Jesus’ sacrifice was actually a much greater act of love. Jesus knew that the wrath of God was going to be poured out upon him and that part of this suffering would include being crucified by his own creation. Yet knowing all this, Jesus willingly endured this death, in obedience to God and for the joy set before him. This is the greatest act of love conceivable.
God did not recklessly break the rules of love in order to save mankind. His love is the standard. Anything God does that does not fit within culture’s context of what love typically looks like is not God breaking the rules. Instead, it is him breaking down misconceptions of what society has created love to be.
God’s love is steadfast. It is limitless. It is sacrificial. It is life-changing. It is beautiful. It is the source of all things good.
God’s love is many things, but it is not reckless. And for that, we should be thankful.