Years ago in Guatemala, a man came to me who had dishonored our Lord's name. He was truly broken and had repented. Yet he was still without joy. It was obvious he needed to be assured that he was forgiven; otherwise Satan would have gained an advantage over him.

I did something then which until that day I had never done. I put my arm around him and said, "Brother, you've repented; your sins are forgiven. Let me pray with you." And this broken, humble Guatemalan said, "Oh, thank you, thank you. Now I'm free!"

With tears running down our faces, we hugged each other. He was so excited, because a fellow brother in Christ had reassured him.

But this man should have been reassured earlier by his local church. When someone is obviously broken and repentant, the church must stand up and say, "In the name of the Lord Jesus, rejoice! He has forgiven you, and we forgive you too." The assurance from such corporate forgiveness brings healing and joy to the entire congregation.