One of God’s attributes is that He is “righteous” (Psalm 89:14). This means that he is always right, good, just, and the perfect standard. When we compare our “right-ness” to God’s “right-ness”, it’s obvious that we can’t measure up to God’s standard. The Bible refers to this as “sin." Even though God’s response to sin is wrath, he also responds with mercy. God’s justice demands payment, and in his mercy he has provided one.