Why did God require a sacrifice to forgive mankind?

Question

It is said that Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins. I find it difficult to reconcile the need for a sacrifice with the idea of a loving God, could he not just have forgiven anyone who asked for it without Jesus' death? If not why not?

Most of the answers imply that death is a higher force than God. Is this true? If not, then why is God required to pay the "wages of sin" for us, can he not just declare them no longer needed?

Answer 1

Remember that jesus is god.

God was showing that he loved and forgave us by sacrificing himself.

We didn't sacrifice anything to be forgiven ....god did.

Remember that hanging on a cross isn't a good way to die.

Answer 2

I think that Christians would see no problem in reconciling the idea of a loving God with Jesus' sacrifice - remember to Christians Jesus IS God. Therefore, voluntary self-sacrifice for the good of others (in this case created, sinful lower beings) is an act totally consistent with a loving God. The issue is also not whether he *could* have forgiven everyone without sacrifice, but rather *why* he chose to do so in that manner. The answer to Christians is straightforward - love.

Answer 3

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.


Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Answer 4

Propitiation

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The only way for God’s wrath against sinful man to be appeased and for them to be reconciled to God is through Jesus Christ. There is no other way. This truth is also communicated in 1 John 2:2; “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” An important part of Christ’s saving work includes deliverance from God’s wrath that the unbelieving sinner is under, because Jesus’ atonement on the cross is the only thing that can turn away God’s divine wrath. Those that reject Christ as their Savior and refuse to believe in Him have no hope of salvation. They can only look forward to facing the wrath of God that they have stored up for the coming day of judgment (Romans 2:5). There is no other propitiation or sacrifice that can be made for their sins.

Answer 5

Jesus if God the Son. Because He is a loving God, one who loves US, He did this, so we don't have to. I have children. I love them very much. If I don't discipline them and show them right from wrong, than that wouldn't be love. If God would have just forgiven us without doing anything, would we have reason to repent? He communicates with us in a way that we understand. By sacrificing the Son out of love for us we will appreciate it so much more, because we can understand what that means. Humans are self centered by nature and would most likely not love a stranger so much as to sacrifice ourselves for them let alone our child. So it is out of love that God made this sacrifice.

Answer 6

For the wages of sin is death Rom 6:23. Because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, we are justified through Him (if we believe). God is very loving but He is also just. Try bible.com

Answer 7

It is not for forgiving us but for saving us from the enslavement of sin.

God created man perfect. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered into the world followed by pain,suffering,old age, and death. Sin paid a high price...Adam's perfect life, worse he became a slave of sin.

How would this be undone? How would we be remove from this slavement?

In equation, what could buy back the perfect life that Adam lost? That would also be a perfect human life...since all human came after Adam sinned, we are all born into sin and no human is perfect.

So God provided a ransom to save us from sin (he 'sacrificed his own son even if its painful for him). Ransom, just like when someone you love is kidnapped, you pay the amount the kidnappers asked for.

Jesus, existing as a spirit in heaven, willingly became human (Philippians 2:5-9) and gave his life for us to pay the ransom that sin wants. Perfect life=Perfect life. JEsus bought us and freed us from sin's slavery.

Answer 8

God is principle, spirit. So is justice. When God subjected a sinless man to death, it was death that committed the crime by taking him. Now death could be judged justly as unjust and all those that are in Him would be declared free of the eternal death that everyone is born subject to.

Makes perfect sense for anyone that has a gift to understand it.

Answer 9

The reason for Christ being killed for our sins was not for the pleasing of God, it was because we humans are so hard headed, that God had tried everything, to include wiping us out and we still did not love Him enough to stop our ways. Christ came to fulfill the need of a sacrifice to end all sacrifices, and to announce in a very public way how much God loves us, his death means a lot more than we have time to write on this format, but just know that He did it for you, me and yes even those who dont believe, out of love for all of us.
That is why, that is the power of ultimate love, enough to give us a deeper meaning to our lives and our love for Him.
God bless and thanks for the opportunity to spread the Gospel.

Answer 10

The whole point is we are all sinners and God's promise to us is everlasting life, and to proove to us that he is a Loving and kind God. He sacrifies His son so that we would know that yes there is afterlasting life after death and we can have it to if we follow a good loving life. Its called freedom of choice and we all have this choice so it is up to us if we want everlasting life or if we want to burn when the end of the world comes. Because when that happens its for to clense the earth of all negativity. Which will you choose? Take care Heather