Q. 12. Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be again received into favour?
A. God will have his justice satisfied: [a] and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another. [b]
Q. 13. Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?
A. By no means; but on the contrary we daily increase our debt. [a]
Q. 14. Can there be found anywhere, one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?
A. None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed; [a] and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it. [b]
Q. 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?
A. For one who is very man, and perfectly [a] righteous; [b] and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God. [c]
It is a terrifying thing to be reminded of our sin and God’s judgment. This morning as I was considering my sin, and turning the pages of my Bible to go to the specific Scripture text planned for today, just a glance at the bold title word of “Judgment” was enough to shock me.
But, God is so gracious. As I read the text planned for today, I was not inspired by anything in it, and so I turned to the Daily Confession web site to determine whether or not I find inspiration there about anything for which to write today’s devotion.
Here, again, I was reminded of the righteous judgment of God. But, the hope of deliverance was included.
Generally, Proverbs 18:10 tells us: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” Whenever the righteous sense danger, they seek the LORD.
The danger may come from our own sin. We feel guilty. We may temporarily try to hide like Adam or flee like Jonah. We may think we have escaped, but the God has us always in His control. “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.” Psalm 32:3-4.
There may be this delay, but the righteous eventually turn to the LORD and acknowledge and confess their sin to God and seek His forgiveness. “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.” Psalm 32:5.
Not only is God merciful and forgive us our sin, God cleanses us from all unrighteousness. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
But, how does God forgive sin? Does God just forget about it?
We now need to go back to Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 5. No! God does not just forget about our sin!!! “God will have his justice satisfied: and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another.” (Answer 12).
“Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?
A. By no means; but on the contrary we daily increase our debt.” (Question and Answer 13)
“Can there be found anywhere, one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?
A. None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed; and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it. (Question and Answer 14)
“What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?
A. For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.” (Question and Answer 15)
We know from Scripture that mediator and deliverer is our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:5
Is Christ, our mediator, able to deliver us?
Yes!!! Hebrews 9:14-16 states: “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 