OC | Question 12-15

12. According to God’s righteous judgment we deserve punishment both in this world and forever after: how then can we escape this punishment and return to God’s favor?

God requires that his justice be satisfied.35 Therefore the claims of his justice must be paid in full, either by ourselves or another.36

^ 35. Ex. 23:7; Rom. 2:1-11
^ 36. Isa. 53:11; Rom. 8:3-4

13. Can we pay this debt ourselves?

Certainly not. Actually, we increase our guilt every day.37

^ 37. Matt. 6:12; Rom. 2:4-5

14. Can another creature–any at all–pay this debt for us?

No. To begin with, God will not punish another creature for what a human is guilty of.38 Besides, no mere creature can bear the weight of God’s eternal anger against sin and release others from it.39

^ 38. Ezek. 18:4, 20; Heb. 2:14-18
^ 39. Ps. 49:7-9; 130:3

15. What kind of mediator and deliverer should we look for then?

One who is truly human40 and truly righteous,41 yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God.42

^ 40. Rom. 1:3; 1 Cor. 15:21; Heb. 2:17
^ 41. Isa. 53:9; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26
^ 42. Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Jer. 23:6; John 1:1