Why was it necessary for Jesus to come live a perfect life and then die on the cross? In what way was Christ our substitute? How did the love of God and the justice of God collide on the cross? Christ’s atoning work made right the offense and enmity between us and God. He became the propitiation for our sins by satisfying God’s just wrath and making Him favorable towards us. Christ expiated our sin by removing it from God’s presence and relieving guilt from our consciences.