How do we know that Christ's sacrifice was necessary?

The necessity of Christ's sacrifice is rooted in the understanding of God's holy nature and the reality of human sinfulness. In Romans 3:23-24, we learn that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, necessitating redemption. Christ's death is portrayed as a propitiation, meaning it appeases God's righteous wrath against sin, allowing for forgiveness and reconciliation. The atonement achieved through His blood not only satisfies divine justice but also secures eternal life for those who believe. Without this sacrificial death, we would remain condemned sinners, unable to bridge the chasm that sin has created between us and God. Therefore, understanding Christ's sacrifice as the fulfillment of God’s plan is a cornerstone of sovereign grace theology.