The necessity of the atonement

Paul does not say that God was reconciled to man but that God did something in order to reconcile man to himself. This act of reconciliation is a finished work; it is a work that has been done in the interests of men so that in the sight of God the entire world is already reconciled.  It remains for the evangelist to proclaim it and the individual to receive it.

Christ’s death has made the reconciliation of all mankind possible; each individual must make it actual.

2 Cor. 5:18-19 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself…”

Romans 5:10 “...we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son …”

Col. 1:21 “And you ... yet now hath he reconciled. “