Nevertheless, the forgiving love of Christ not only precedes but also accompanies and even follows the love with which we love him and the neighbor. Our sincere purpose to forgive those who have injured us, and thus also our experience of the pardoning love and grace of God in Christ, can be enhanced by the following considerations: Extend forgiveness to others, for 1. God so commands. Vengeance belongs to him, not to us (Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:19). 2. We should follow the example Christ himself has