How can God be just and merciful at the same time?

The question of how God can be both just and merciful is central to the understanding of Christian salvation. As articulated in the sermon, God maintains His holiness and justice while being merciful by appointing Christ as the substitute for sinners. In Christ’s death, God’s justice is satisfied because the penalty for sin was paid in full. This substitution allows God to be just in forgiving sins while also being merciful to those who believe in Christ. Therefore, the death of Christ reconciles God's attributes, making Him both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.