Reconciliation with Justification Exalts the Atoning Work of Jesus Christ

"No one should diminish the importance of reconciliation, but neither should we make the mistake of exalting reconciliation and minimizing justification. The reason human beings need to be reconciled to God is because of their sin and guilt. Sin is an objective reality that separates us from a holy God. Reconciliation between God and humans does not become a reality merely on the basis of human repentance and a desire for forgiveness. If human beings could be reconciled to God by repentance alone, then the sacrifice of Christ on the cross would be completely unnecessary. All people would need to do to receive forgiveness would be to feel sorry for their sins, and we could dispense entirely with the work of Christ. Reconciliation is a precious reality, but it is anchored in the sin-bearing work of Christ on the cross by which the wrath of God was appeased."

-Thomas Schreiner, “Penal Substitution View” in The Nature of the Atonement (Four Views), p.69