Forgivness

I underestimate people's need to forgive and be forgiven, actually hearing the words "You are forgiven." I taught Sunday school and lead small group yesterday on the Kingdom principle of forgiveness and our power to forgive sins, not atone for them, but forgive, as exhorted by Jesus in John 20. People really seemed to wrestle with our call to forgive and it was obvious that some needed to hear that they are forgiven. It's important to say these words because it is a major part of our ministry of reconciliation. Do you need to forgive? Do you need to hear the words?
Do you need to forgive? Do you need to hear the words?

You are forgiven. Now, in your freedom, go and set others free.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:18-19