This is “Namma for Christ” with the one
hundred twenty-ninth inspirational message dated Wednesday, March 21st,
2018. The title of this message is, "Reckless
Love – Luke 15:7”. The first two words
of the title are also the title of the above anointed song/video (with lyrics)
by Cory Asbury. The message’s scripture is below as found in the New Testament’s
book of Luke:
Luke 15:7
New Living Translation (NLT)
7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
Recently, I was listening to one of my favorite Christian radio stations, 99.1 STAR FM, and I heard the above song, “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury. I wanted to further research the song’s meaning, therefore I searched the internet – and below is what I found.
The below excerpt was taken from “Churchfront.com” as written by Jake Gosselin on 11/8/17 – based on a review of the song and its meaning:
Song Meaning
Cory
Asbury (the writer and performer of the above song) used the word “reckless” to
describe God’s love:
Verse 1
highlights that God created us and gives us life. Verse 2 focuses on how God
redeems us--despite the fact we were His enemies and rebellious in our
sinfulness. God is good. God is kind. These verses are simple, but I love how
Cory crafted these lyrics. “When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for
me.” “When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me.”
See Romans
5:8 below -
Romans 5:8
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The song's bridge
continues to emphasize the theme of God’s love using the word “reckless”. It
paints the picture of God pursuing His children like Liam Neeson in (the 2008 movie)
Taken
who goes to the most extreme measures to rescue his daughter and kill the bad
guys.
The chorus
focuses on how incredible it is that God loves us and pursues us. The term
“Reckless” has gotten a lot of attention. In all seriousness, there are a few
reasons why I have no issue with the term “Reckless” in describing God’s love.
·
The definition - (of a person or their
actions) without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action. While
in most contexts this song has negative connotations (reckless driving) the
word reckless itself does not necessarily carry negative connotations on its
own.
·
Biblical support - Cory wrote this song
with the parables in Luke 15 in mind. Do you know how “reckless” it was for the
Father to receive the Prodigal Son back into His house! He did not care about
the consequences of what other people thought of this act of love. Same thing
with the parable of the lost sheep. Why would a shepherd not care about the
safety of the 99 to go find the one?
Luke 15:4-7
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
·
Oh, and another example of biblical
support is 1 Corinthians 1:18, where Paul writes the message of the
cross is “foolishness” to the world. You know what word is similar to
“foolishness”? Reckless.
1 Corinthians 1:18
New King James Version (NKJV)
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God
Read what Cory Asbury wrote about this on his Facebook page.
Here is an excerpt from what he said:
"When
I use the phrase, “the reckless love of God”, I’m not saying that God Himself
is reckless. I am, however, saying that the way He loves, is in many regards,
quite so. What I mean is this: He is utterly unconcerned with the consequences
of His actions with regards to His own safety, comfort, and well-being. His
love isn’t crafty or slick. His love bankrupted heaven for you. His love doesn’t consider
Himself first. His love isn’t selfish or self-serving. He doesn’t wonder what
He’ll gain or lose by putting Himself out there. He simply gives Himself away
on the off-chance that one of us might look back at Him and offer ourselves in
return."
Below is a verse that describes God’s
unselfish, all-encompassing, all-inclusive and GREAT LOVE for ALL who believe
in His Son - Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
John 3:16
New King James Version (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Our Lord wants ALL to come to HIM –
He wishes that no one perish - see the below verse:
2 Peter 3:9
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
The song, “Reckless Love” is a song that was based on God’s deep
love for us - as based on the scripture found in Luke 15:4-7 (The Parable of
the Lost Sheep).
The “Parable of the Lost Sheep” is a story told by Jesus to
illustrate the audacious and overwhelming LOVE and COMPASSION that God has for
those who are HIS. We serve a Good Shepherd whose heart is for us – His children
to be found, rescued and renewed! Read below of God’s LOVE for us:
1 John 4:9-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
God LOVES you!
He wants what is BEST for you!
NOTHING is TOO HARD for GOD!
GOD IS IN CONTROL – PRAY and TRUST HIM with your life and EVERYTHING that you are going through!
LET GO and LET GOD!
Philippians 4:6-7 states –
Philippians 4:6-7
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Please enjoy the above song, “Reckless Love” (with lyrics) as
performed by Cory Asbury. Please meditate and treasure the great LOVE that God,
your Creator and Father in Heaven - has for you! God loved you so much – that He
gave His Son for you!
BE BLESSED!
