### 12. Q. According to God’s righteous judgment we deserve punishment both now and in eternity: how then can we escape this punishment and return to God’s favor?

**A**. God requires that his justice be satisfied.<sup>1</sup> Therefore the claims of this justice must be paid in full, either by ourselves or by another.<sup>2</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [Ex. 23:7](/index.php/get-passage/Exodus+23:7); [Rom. 2:1-11](/index.php/get-passage/Romans+2:1-11)
<sup>2</sup> [Isa. 53:11](/index.php/get-passage/Isaiah+53:11); [Rom. 8:3-4](/index.php/get-passage/Romans+8:3-4)