12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:12-13

If you go back and read the teachings of Jesus again, you’ll find that he highlights mercy as a virtue to be cultivated and unforgiveness as a particularly heinous sin. In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) Jesus tells the story of a servant who received just punishment from his master for not showing mercy to others although he had received forgiveness of his own debts. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). The very next chapter Jesus offers the flip side of that same coin, this time in the form of a warning: 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15).

James, the half-brother of Jesus and author of the book of James, knew all of these teachings by heart, which is why he communicates the need to forgive in such stark terms. Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. We’ve already been forgiven the biggest debt of them all: our sins. There is therefore no excuse for us not to show mercy to those who wrong us.

So is God just being mean or harsh here, or is he trying to protect us? I believe the reason the biblical language is so harsh here is because God knows how difficult it is for us to forgive, and he’s trying to nudge us over the edge from judgment to mercy. Besides mirroring the heart of God who has forgiven us so much, it is also very much in our best interests. Unforgiveness takes root as bitterness in your life and destroys everything good in your life. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies. Look at the bitter people in your life, and you’ll see lives filled with sadness, anger and pain. God wants to free you from those toxins. Forgiveness is how you release them.

So, to whom do you need to show mercy? Who has wronged you? Who has taken advantage of you? Who has hurt you? As difficult as it may be, forgive them. Show mercy. Be the better person. Release the toxins from your life before they take root and destroy everything good in you.