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Expert: - 7/5/2005


Question
Hi Dr. Shultz,
I thought that I had read a bible verse in the past indicating that it was as much a sin to be unfair to one's self as being unfair to others, but I can't seem to remember it's location in scripture. Would you know of any verses which support the above?
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Mike Eidson, LAc.


Answer
Mike, the Bible speaks nore about justice than fairness especially as we consider fairness. So, I do not know off hand a verse in that framework, but consider this.

Lev 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. (KJV)

Before I can truly love my neighbor as myself I have to truly love myself.  Many people mistreat other people because their own feelings of rejection, hurt and misery and they do not love themselves or in some cases love themselevs in a wrong way. In that state, they cannot love others while abiding in self-hate or even aberrent self-"love" that is not love but rather selfish pride.

Therefore if I am not fair or just to myself I will have a hard time being that way to others.

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: (KJV)

We get from this the "Golden Rule" to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  

Ian Thomas once said, "The truth about God is the truth about man and the truth about man is the truth about God."

If we understand God then we understand who we are as men and if we truly understand who we are as men then we understand God.  Thus if we understand these things then we know that it is a sin against ourselves and God to be unjust or unfair to ourselves for we are made in His image and He is just.  If He is just and we are in His image and we recogmize that other men are made in His image then to be unjust to them is to be unjust to God for we deny their right to justice as His creation and in essence are unjust to ourselves for we deny His image in us by being unjust. We are not islands.  We are connected to God, even in our lost state, for we still have His image though it is marred by sin and we are connected to each other by creation, yea even genetics.  We are all related back through to Noah and Adam so we are one race and one family so to hurt our family is to hurt ourselves.  Pretty deep, huh?  

Anyway, I think this supports your premise though not exactly addressed as you put it.  May God richly bless you as you study His word and seek His will!!!

Bro. Ron
www.mavmin.org  

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Dr. Ronald E. Shultz

Expertise

I am more of a polemicist than an apologist. I especially desire to answer questions concerning discipleship/holiness, "gray areas", etc. If all you wish is an argument then I am not your man. Sincere seekers only need e-mail me.

Experience

I have ministered in several states since my conversion in 1975. I participate in many forums and have written two books.

Organizations
American Association of Christian Counselors since 2009
Texas Civil Defense since 2008
American Legion since 2002
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, since 1994
Life Member NCOA, 1973
Dover AFB Honor Guard, 1971-73

Publications
Poem, "Cowboy Up" published in an anthology by American Poets Society, 2004
Author, Jail House Religion, Xulon Press, 2004
Author, The Power of Holy Women, Xulon Press, 2003
Messianic Literary Corner published 45 poems, 2003+
Tract “Which Way To God” published on http://www.tracts.com/whichway.html, 1998
Several poems published on various web pages, 1997,1998,1999
Author, Metamorphosis, copyrighted, partially published collection of poetry, 1968-94
Article, “Why I Prefer Expository Preaching”, published in Canyonview Bible Seminary's Expositor, 1988

Education/Credentials
Doctor of Theology, Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA, 2001, Summa Cum Laude
Master of Theology, Christian Bible College, Rocky Mount, NC, 2000, Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Religious Education , Administration minor, Piedmont Baptist College, Winston-Salem, NC, 1982, Cum Laude
Evangelical Teacher Training Association, Teachers Diploma, Winston-Salem, NC, 1982
Other study: Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL - 1975-78
Upper Iowa University, Fayette, IA - 1976-77
Interim Ministry For Today's Churches - 2000


Awards and Honors
Heritage Registry of Who's Who, 2006-2007
Editor's Choice Award, International Library of Poetry, 2003
America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals 2001-2002
Stratmore Who's Who, 2001-2002
Guest Speaker Texas A&M, Commerce, 1999
Gubernatorial Commendation by Texas Veterans Commission, 1999
Dallas VA Certificate of Pride in Public Service, 1999
Guest on the Kevin Bullard radio program KPBC AM 770,1997
Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1996
Editor's Choice Award, National Library of Poetry, 1995
Who's Who in Poetry, 1992
United States Army Achievement Medal, 1990
Personal testimony dramatized for international radio program Unshackled, 1986
Outstanding Young Men of the South, 1981
United States Air Force Commendation Medal, 1978
Two USAF suggestion awards, 1976
NCO of the Quarter, 1975
Freedom Foundation Award, 1975

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