Lord’s Day 5
Q12. We deserve punishment that lasts forever. How can we escape it and be accepted by God again?
God requires that his justice be satisfied. So the full payment for sin must be made, either by us or by someone else.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Exodus 23:7
“Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.”
Romans 2:1–11
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.”
Isaiah 53:11
“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”
Romans 8:3–4
“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does God require before we can be accepted by him again?
- 2
Why does someone need to pay for sin rather than God just forgetting about it?
- 3
How does it feel to hear that the payment must be made either by us or by someone else?
Illustration
If you break a neighbor's window, someone has to pay for it. The window does not fix itself. Either you pay, or someone pays for you. God's justice requires payment for sin. The good news that begins here is that someone else can pay on your behalf.
Application
This question is the hinge between guilt and grace. You know you cannot pay for your own sin. This week, thank God that he did not leave you stuck with a debt you could never pay. Ask him to help you understand how the payment was made.