Q. 9
Is God then not unjust by requiring in his law what man cannot do?
A.
No. God so created man that he could do it. But man, at the instigation of the devil, by deliberate disobedience, robbed himself and all his descendants of these gifts.
Scripture Genesis 3:13 · Romans 5:12 · Ecclesiastes 7:29
Q. 10
Will God allow such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished?
A.
Certainly not. He is terribly displeased with our original sin as well as our actual sins. Therefore he will punish them by a just judgment both now and in eternity, as he has declared: Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.
Scripture Exodus 20:5 · Romans 1:18 · Galatians 3:10 · Deuteronomy 27:26
Q. 11
But is God not also merciful?
A.
God is indeed merciful, but he is also just. His justice requires that sin committed against the most high majesty of God also be punished with the most severe, that is, with everlasting, punishment of body and soul.
Scripture Exodus 34:6-7 · Psalm 5:4-6 · Matthew 25:45-46