Merciful Justice

The main subject of Lord's Day 4 is God from the viewpoint of the question "Does God really need to punish man for his sins?". In the second place, this Lord's Day stresses that that God is one in all of His virtues. We cannot take one of His virtues and hold it over the others. This means God's love, mercy, and justice all go hand in hand. So, is God right to punish us for our sins if we are not able to keep the law? Yes. God's justice cannot be separated from His mercy. God is right to require payment for our sins, but He is also merciful in giving His son Jesus to make payment for our sins and give us salvation.