Can you explain 2 Chronicles 15:2?
Introduction. This verse in part says "...the Lord is with you: but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you." Under the influence of the Spirit of God, Azariah spoke these words to Asa, Judah, and Benjamin (vs. 1-2).
The Hebrew scriptures are for our learning and example. As Christians, we are not under the Law of Moses in this dispensation (2 Cor. 3; Col, 2: 14). However, according to the inspired apostle Paul, the Hebrew scriptures or Old Testament are for our learning and example (Rom. 15: 4; 1 Cor. 10: 11). They contain many timeless truths and principles which are echoed for us in the New Testament.
The truth contained in 2 Chron. 15: 2. If we seek God, we shall find Him (Acts 17: 27). Azariah said that the Lord will not arbitrarily leave His people. The writer of the Hebrews in the New Testament presents God as saying, "...I will never leave thee, or forsake thee" (Heb. 13: 5). Yet, our verse also says that man has free moral agency or freedom of choice: "... if ye forsake Him...". Yes, God's people can choose to forsake God with potentially eternal consequence: "...He will forsake you." Christians are urged to carefully note that happened to God's disobedient people in the Old Testament and take heed lest they also fall (1 Cor. 9: 24-10: 12). The saved can indeed fall from God's grace (Gal. 5: 4). According to the inspired apostle Peter, when the Christian falls, it would have been better had he never known the way of righteousness (2 Pet. 2: 20-22). It is our responsibility to remain in God's love (Jude 21).
Conclusion. We see multiple eternal truths found in 2 Chronicles 15: 2 - God's faithfulness, His availability, man's free moral agency, and the possibility of apostasy or being forsaken by God. Please consider that when you hear the doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved" falsely taught.
The Hebrew scriptures are for our learning and example. As Christians, we are not under the Law of Moses in this dispensation (2 Cor. 3; Col, 2: 14). However, according to the inspired apostle Paul, the Hebrew scriptures or Old Testament are for our learning and example (Rom. 15: 4; 1 Cor. 10: 11). They contain many timeless truths and principles which are echoed for us in the New Testament.
The truth contained in 2 Chron. 15: 2. If we seek God, we shall find Him (Acts 17: 27). Azariah said that the Lord will not arbitrarily leave His people. The writer of the Hebrews in the New Testament presents God as saying, "...I will never leave thee, or forsake thee" (Heb. 13: 5). Yet, our verse also says that man has free moral agency or freedom of choice: "... if ye forsake Him...". Yes, God's people can choose to forsake God with potentially eternal consequence: "...He will forsake you." Christians are urged to carefully note that happened to God's disobedient people in the Old Testament and take heed lest they also fall (1 Cor. 9: 24-10: 12). The saved can indeed fall from God's grace (Gal. 5: 4). According to the inspired apostle Peter, when the Christian falls, it would have been better had he never known the way of righteousness (2 Pet. 2: 20-22). It is our responsibility to remain in God's love (Jude 21).
Conclusion. We see multiple eternal truths found in 2 Chronicles 15: 2 - God's faithfulness, His availability, man's free moral agency, and the possibility of apostasy or being forsaken by God. Please consider that when you hear the doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved" falsely taught.