What Central Banks Are Doing and the Benefits and Risks Associated with Crypto

 

The world of cryptocurrency has seen rapid growth in recent years, sparking interest not just among tech enthusiasts and investors, but also among central banks and governments around the globe. As digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum challenge traditional financial systems, central banks are exploring how to integrate or regulate these decentralized currencies. But what exactly are central banks doing, and what are the benefits and risks associated with cryptocurrency?

What Are Central Banks Doing with Crypto?

While central banks have traditionally been skeptical of cryptocurrencies due to their decentralized nature, many are now starting to explore their potential in the financial ecosystem. Here's how central banks are reacting:

1. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
   One of the most significant moves central banks are making is the development of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). These are digital versions of a country’s fiat currency, issued and controlled by the central bank. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which operate on decentralized networks, CBDCs are centralized and governed by the authorities of a country.

   Countries like China are already testing their digital yuan, and many other nations, including the European Union, the United States, and Japan, are exploring or researching CBDCs. The goal is to create a digital currency that offers the benefits of digital payments while retaining government control over monetary policy.

   Potential Use Cases for CBDCs:

   • Improving Cross-Border Payments: CBDCs could drastically reduce the time and cost of cross-border transactions by bypassing traditional intermediaries like correspondent banks. With instant settlement and fewer intermediaries, international transfers could become cheaper and more efficient.
   • Enhancing Monetary Policy Tools: CBDCs can offer central banks new tools to implement monetary policy. For example, by using digital currencies, central banks can directly influence the velocity of money, and even implement tools like negative interest rates, which could be harder to achieve in traditional fiat systems.
   • Promoting Financial Inclusion: With CBDCs, governments can ensure that digital currency reaches all citizens, even those without access to traditional banking services. This can be particularly transformative for the unbanked populations in developing countries.

2. Regulation and Oversight
   In addition to exploring CBDCs, central banks are looking at ways to regulate and control cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins. As cryptocurrencies become more mainstream, regulators are concerned about issues such as market volatility, consumer protection, and illegal activities (e.g., money laundering and fraud).

   Challenges in Regulating Crypto:

   • Decentralized Nature: One of the primary challenges in regulating cryptocurrencies is their decentralized nature. Without a central authority overseeing the market, it’s difficult for regulators to enforce rules and monitor transactions effectively.
   • Speed of Technological Innovation: The rapid pace of innovation in the crypto space presents another hurdle. Blockchain, decentralized finance (DeFi), and other emerging technologies evolve faster than regulators can create frameworks for them, leaving a regulatory gap.
   • Cross-Border Nature: Cryptocurrencies operate on a global scale, which complicates enforcement. Countries have different stances on crypto, leading to inconsistencies and potential loopholes, especially for investors and companies operating internationally.

3. Stablecoins and Their Role
   Stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to the value of a fiat currency, such as the US dollar—have gained significant attention from central banks. They offer some of the benefits of decentralized cryptocurrencies while reducing the extreme volatility that makes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin difficult to use for everyday transactions.

   Stablecoins Informing CBDC Design:
   Stablecoins are providing valuable insights for central banks in their development of CBDCs. By studying the use of stablecoins, regulators and central banks can learn how to create more stable, reliable, and efficient digital currencies. Some central banks are even looking at incorporating features from stablecoins into their own CBDCs, particularly to manage volatility and maintain a pegged value to fiat currencies.

                        Types of Cryptocurrencies and Their Use Around the World

There are thousands of cryptocurrencies, but the most prominent ones include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a range of stablecoins. Here's an overview of the key types of cryptocurrencies and where they are being adopted or used:

1. Bitcoin (BTC)

   • Overview: Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and remains the most well-known. It uses a decentralized ledger called blockchain to secure transactions and is often referred to as a store of value, sometimes likened to "digital gold."
   • Global Usage: Bitcoin is accepted by various retailers worldwide, particularly in the tech and online spaces. Countries like El Salvador have made Bitcoin legal tender, allowing it to be used alongside the US dollar in daily transactions. Bitcoin adoption is also growing in countries facing economic instability, such as Venezuela and Argentina, where citizens use it as a hedge against inflation.

2. Ethereum (ETH)

   • Overview: Ethereum is a decentralized platform that supports smart contracts, which automatically execute actions when certain conditions are met. Unlike Bitcoin, which primarily serves as a store of value, Ethereum enables the creation of decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts.
   • Global Usage: Ethereum is widely used in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, and many blockchain-based applications and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are built on its network. Countries like Switzerland and Singapore are embracing Ethereum for its innovation potential in smart contract technology and DeFi.

3. Stablecoins (e.g., USDC, Tether)

   • Overview: Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to the value of a fiat currency, such as the US dollar. They aim to reduce the volatility that is typical of other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, making them more suitable for everyday transactions and store-of-value applications.
   • Global Usage: Stablecoins are used globally for remittances, international transfers, and as collateral in DeFi applications. The US dollar-pegged stablecoins, such as USDC and Tether, are widely adopted in markets where users need a stable asset that is easy to move across borders.

4. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)

   • Overview: CBDCs are digital currencies issued and controlled by a country’s central bank. They are essentially a digital version of a country's fiat currency, and many central banks are exploring or piloting their own versions.
   • Global Usage: China has been leading the charge with its digital yuan, already testing the currency in various regions. Other countries, including Sweden (e-krona), the Bahamas (Sand Dollar), and Nigeria (e-Naira), have launched or are testing their own CBDCs. The European Union and the United States are researching their potential.

The Benefits of Cryptocurrency

1. Financial Inclusion
   Cryptocurrencies offer financial services to the unbanked and underbanked populations around the world. With just a smartphone and internet access, people in remote or underserved areas can send and receive money, make payments, and store value. This could greatly enhance financial inclusion, particularly in regions where access to traditional banking is limited.

2. Decentralization and Transparency
   The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies means that they are not controlled by any single entity or government. This decentralization offers more autonomy for users and less risk of government interference or censorship. Additionally, blockchain technology ensures transparency, as all transactions are publicly recorded on an immutable ledger.

3. Lower Transaction Costs
   Traditional banking and financial systems often involve high fees for cross-border transactions, currency exchange, and other services. Cryptocurrencies can significantly reduce these costs by eliminating intermediaries, making transactions faster and cheaper, especially for international transfers.

4. Security and Privacy
   Cryptocurrencies, when used properly, offer enhanced security and privacy compared to traditional banking systems. Blockchain technology makes it difficult for hackers to alter transaction records, and many cryptocurrencies offer anonymity for users.

The Risks of Cryptocurrency

1. Volatility and Market Instability
   One of the most significant risks associated with cryptocurrencies is their extreme volatility. While Bitcoin and other cryptos have seen substantial gains, they have also experienced steep drops in value, often without warning. This volatility can be a barrier to their use as a stable store of value or medium of exchange.

2. Regulatory Uncertainty
   The lack of a clear regulatory framework is a major risk for cryptocurrencies. While some countries have embraced crypto and developed regulations, others have outright banned it. The uncertainty surrounding regulation can create an unstable environment for both investors and users, as sudden policy changes can lead to market panic or financial losses.

3. Security and Fraud Risks
   Despite the inherent security features of blockchain, cryptocurrencies are still vulnerable to hacks, scams, and fraud. Users can lose their funds if they fall victim to phishing attacks, or if an exchange they use is hacked. There are also concerns about the use of cryptocurrencies for illegal activities, such as money laundering and terrorist financing.

4. Environmental Impact
   Mining certain cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, requires vast amounts of energy. As the popularity of cryptocurrencies grows, the environmental impact of mining operations has come under scrutiny. The carbon footprint of crypto mining can be significant, especially when the energy used comes from non-renewable sources.

5. Lack of Consumer Protection
   Unlike traditional banking systems, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. If you make an error or fall victim to a scam, there is little recourse for recovering your funds. This lack of consumer protection can be a significant deterrent for mainstream adoption, especially for people who are unfamiliar with crypto.

Potential Impact of CBDCs on the Traditional Financial System

The widespread adoption of CBDCs could have profound implications for the traditional financial system. CBDCs could reduce the role of commercial banks in money creation and reduce the costs associated with payment systems. As more people use CBDCs for everyday transactions, commercial banks may face reduced demand for traditional services such as checking accounts and money transfers.

Moreover, CBDCs could give central banks more direct control over monetary policy, including the ability to impose negative interest rates or stimulate economic activity through direct digital currency transfers to citizens.

The Need for International Cooperation

Given the cross-border nature of cryptocurrencies and the global challenges they present, international cooperation among central banks and regulators is essential. Countries must work together to establish consistent regulations, create frameworks for CBDC interoperability, and address issues like money laundering and tax evasion. International collaboration will be crucial to ensure the stability and security of the global crypto ecosystem.

Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Crypto

The future of cryptocurrency remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: central banks will continue to play a significant role in shaping its evolution. While cryptocurrencies offer numerous benefits, including financial inclusion, lower transaction costs, and decentralization, they also present significant risks such as volatility, security issues, and regulatory uncertainty.

As central banks around the world experiment with CBDCs and new regulations, we can expect to see a balance between innovation and control. The key will be finding a way to harness the power of cryptocurrencies while mitigating their risks to ensure a stable and secure financial future.

Beware Of Pride

PROVERBS 16:18 NIV 18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride is deadly. But instead of warning us the world encourages pride in every way.

What is pride?

Pride is faith in yourself, instead of faith in God.

The root of pride is selfishness: putting yourself first. Thinking you are the most important. Thinking you know the most. Thinking you deserve better than someone else.

Pride will cause you to go your own way instead of God's way. Pride makes you think you do not need God's advice or help.

Pride is the root of all sin. It causes you to turn away from God instead of turning to Him. All disobedience has pride as its root. All rebellion has pride behind it. All mistreatment of other people is caused by pride: putting yourself and your feelings above the other person and their feelings.

The world system promotes people who are proud, and often gives them great riches. Jesus said pride is evil and defiles a person. (Mark 7:21-23)

While the world may promote the proud for a short time, their fame and success will not last.

JAMES 4:6 NKJ 6 . . . "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Pride is the most serious, and the most subtle, sin. It often goes unrecognized.

Beware!

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to beware of pride.

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"Mighty To Save"

Everyone needs compassion,

Love that's never failing;

Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,

The kindness of a Savior;

The Hope of nations.

Savior, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,

All my fears and failures,

Fill my life again.

give my life to follow

Everything I believe in,

So I surrender.

I surrender

Savior, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)

Shine your light and let the whole world see,

We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)

Savior, He can move the mountains,

My God is Mighty to save,

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)

Shine your light and let the whole world see,

We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x6)

God Vs Allah Bible study with Pastor Jon Courson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyt-L96VirU

Till I come

1 TIMOTHY 4:13 BBE

13 Till I come, give attention to the reading of the holy

Writings, to comforting the saints, and to teaching.

HEBREWS 4:12 BBE

12 For the word of God is living and full of power. . .

There is no substitute for the basics.

The words of God recorded in the Bible are containers. They

contain ideas from God. They contain life. When those words

enter us through our eyes, ears, or our thinking, they impart

life and faith.

Even if we don't understand everything, we are still receiving

a deposit of life from the Word.

JOHN 6:63 NIV

63 . . . The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are

life.

Many Christian believers are weak in their faith simply because

they do not take in much of the Word of God.

If you spend hours each day listening to, watching, and

thinking about the news and views of the world, but you only

listen (half-heartedly) to a twenty minute sermon on Sunday --

you should not be surprised if your faith is weak and the

influence of the world is great in your life.

The choice is yours. Yes, you are busy, but you can, and do,

make time for what you think is important.

Fortunately, today there are many aids we can take advantage

of. You can read the Bible online, and be reminded each day by

an email. You can obtain recordings of Bible translations to

listen to while you drive or exercise or work.

"But what should I read? The Bible is so big."

All of the Bible is instructive and worthwhile. However, the

New Testament, and specifically the letters to the Church, is

written directly to us and is most applicable for us today.

If you want to get acquainted with the Lord, read the four

Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I would recommend

starting with John.  Mark is the shortest.

If you want to understand redemption and what has happened to

you as a result of receiving Christ, and how to live in

victory, then you need to read the letters in the New

Testament, which are all the books except the Gospels I just

mentioned, and the book of Revelation.

Always remember that the Bible is faith food. So if you want

your faith to be strong, you need to feed it on the Bible. It

does not matter if you feel any different, for faith is not

something that you feel. Faith is of the spirit, not of the

feeling realm.

SAY THIS: I will read the Bible and it will help me.

You Are Qualified by God’s Grace

Colossians 1:12 (NIV)

"Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

You Are Qualified Through Jesus

You are qualified to receive every blessing from God—not because of your works, but because of what Jesus has done for you.

Your qualification is not based on performance. It is a gift from God, received when you accept Jesus Christ.

Righteousness: The Only Qualification You Need

Being in right standing with God (righteousness) is the only qualification needed. And righteousness is not earned—it is given as a free gift through Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)
"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption."

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Righteousness is not achieved by works but is received as a gift (Romans 5:17).

What You Are Qualified For

Because of God's grace, you have the right to partake in the inheritance of the saints. This means you are qualified to:

✅ Be completely forgiven.
✅ Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
✅ Receive healing.
✅ Have your prayers answered.
✅ Prosper in life.
✅ Live with God in Heaven.

No Past Mistakes Can Disqualify You

"But you don’t know what I’ve done!"

Good news! It doesn’t matter!

Jesus' blood has already paid the price. Right now, because of His sacrifice, you qualify for all of God’s blessings.

Don’t believe the lie that you’re not good enough. The blood of Jesus makes you good enough—nothing else can!

Faith Unlocks the Blessings of God

"But I don’t see this working in my life."

God’s blessings are accessed by faith. You must believe what God says before you see the results.

Romans 5:2 (NIV)
"Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

God’s grace has provided everything as a free gift, but faith is the key to receiving it.

Declare This Today:

📢 "I am qualified for all of God's blessings. God made me qualified!"

Why Jesus is the Way to Union with God

For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the living God,
who is the Saviour of all men,
specially of those that believe.
1 Timothy 4:10

Text in Light Blue or bold Light Blue can be "clicked" for backup in scripture or detail in writings.
When you have clicked to the on-line Bible, you can change and update to see any Bible version that you prefer.

Christ's teachings are the ultimate in the way to become holy and become one with God; classic challenges to those who would be his followers are:

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:33
And whosoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
He that finds his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 10:39
For if we are dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. 2 Tim 2:11-12

Of all the guides and teachers in history, Christ stands far above in holiness and perfection. His death on the cross is the physical example that we must follow with the inward cross of self-denial to find God, to have God dwell in us, to be with God, to have union with Christ and the Father, while on earth, and to live with Him now and forever.

He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them
you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4

Scriptures regarding the divinity of Christ, and showing that before he came to earth in the flesh, Christ created the universe, in his heavenly, glorious form:

• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word [Jesus] was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14
  
  
• He [Jesus] is the sole expression of the glory of God , and He is the perfect imprint and very image of nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. Hebrews 1:3 
  
  
• Who [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, Colossians 1:15
  
  
• For by him [Jesus] all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together - so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself (God the Father) all things, whether things on earth or in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col.1:16-20
  
  
• Who, [Christ] although being essentially one with God and in the form of God, did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, but stripped Himself, so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:6-8
  
  
• Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father; then we shall be satisfied. Jesus replied, Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know Me yet, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power). John 14:8-10
  
  
• In the last of these days He has spoken to us in Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time. Heb 1:2
  
  
• As the Father raises up the dead, and quickens them, even so the Son quickens whom he will; for the Father judges no man; but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son, does not honor the Father which has sent him. John 5:21-23.
  
  
• Speaking at the last supper, just before his crucifixion, Jesus said: And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5

God is light. God is a consuming fire. God is a spirit. In the beginning, Jesus stepped out of the light, fire, and spirit called God, to become the visible representation of God as the first-born (Jesus) of all the new creation, so that all God's fullness could dwell in him, (Jesus) and then by him (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together - so that in everything he might have the supremacy. He is essentially one with God and in the form of God.

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live, 1 Cor 8:6. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.

And through him [Jesus] to reconcile to himself (God the Father) all things, whether things on earth or in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col.1:5-20.

(See Is There Hope for All Men and Women for more on his reconciliation of all things back to God the Father).

There are many, many prophecies of scriptures regarding the details of Jesus' life, made hundreds of years before his birth, and fulfilled in his lifetime. Click Here to See Them. These fulfilled prophecies not only show Christ's Divinity and Him being the promised Messiah, but also demonstrate the validity of the Bible, (despite the gross misinterpretations so prevalent in Christendom today).

Almost everyone has heard that Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except by me.' And no one can come to him in this life, unless the Father draws them; but they must come to the Father through the example, teachings, and help of Christ, including the mystical missing cross. But make no mistake, he is not a license for immorality; whatever label people claim, they must be holy to have any part of him. The sects of christendom claim in error that he came to set them free them from guilt of sin, rather than to set them free from sin by destruction of the sinful nature. You tender hearted souls, who thought he was, but still wish him to be your Lord, will find encouragement below on how he can destroy the sinful nature;  for Jesus said, I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. John 8:34. If you still sin, then sin is your master; and Jesus can't be your Lord, because you cannot serve two masters. Luke 16:13. Here is proof that so-called Christians who still sin, will not go to heaven.

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness,
and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4

Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but [only] he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in Your name,
cast out demons in Your name,
and done many wonders in Your name?
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;
depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Mat 7:21-23

The Son of Man will send out His angels,
and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend,
and those who practice lawlessness,
and will cast them into the furnace of fire.
There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Mat 13:41-42

Click here to jump to how to destroy the sinful nature.

Jesus was not a man of war like Mohammed and Krishna; nor was Jesus just a man like Buddha, who became enlightened, though never acknowledging God. Christ walked the earth as a man, but before and after his earthly life, he reigned in the heavens, King of the Angels, creator of all things, including the heavens and earth and all in it. Although he ruled the heavens, he stripped himself of his glory and godhood to humble and abase himself, becoming human form to dwell in a tabernacle of flesh and die on the cross; so that he could reconcile man back to the Father through love; the ultimate gift, his life, for all the errant children of his creation. But in this life on earth he seeks to reconcile as first fruits, only those followers who wish to become like him, in union with him - because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

John says: "In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The true light that gives light to every man coming into the world." John 1:1-9. So the Light of all men is Christ, the Light that many meditation-based religions seek.

So, since he created us, it stands to reason that he is the one to reconcile us back to himself and to the Father. But the Father is logical. He doesn't just make a rule unless it is necessary. I can accept the rule, but I always wondered why good people from other faiths were not able to find union with God in this life. Somehow it just didn't seem fair when some of the other faiths stressed peace, love, holiness, purity, enlightenment, and less materialism than 'christians,' who used Jesus as an excuse to live in sin without repentance to purity. My question was answered with the following understandings:

First, those who live in sin without the fruit of repentance to purity, calling themselves 'Christians,' do not find unity with God or true salvation. So, he doesn't discriminate on the basis of a technicality.

Second, remember Christ is the light that enlightens all men. Remember the Spirit of God has been poured out on all mankind. Anyone who totally obeys the Light of their conscience can attain union with God. However many forms of meditation teach you to ignore all thoughts and all voices; but unless you obey the convictions and complete moral commands heard and understood, there is no spiritual progress. So, people from some other faiths can get very spiritual in meditation; like all men, they have the spirit within them chained down waiting for liberation from prison. They can become more enlightened and more spiritual than 'christians' of the various 'christian' deficit sects. Some of the other religions strive for the death of the ego, rejection of materialism, attaining inner peace, reaching enlightenment, and call for more holiness from their believers; all as necessary to please God. They find today's 'Christianity' unacceptable, because the 'christian' sects use the death of Jesus as an excuse to live in sin without guilt; the opposite of holiness and instead, an embrace of hypocrisy. As reported, when Gandhi was asked why he couldn't accept Jesus, he said, "I too will become a Christian, when I meet a Christian like Jesus."

Third, the Light in all men, which is the only teacher anyone needs, will eventually reveal its identity as Christ to the sincere individuals of other religions in their meditations. They then have the choice whether to accept him or not. Unfortunately they often decline, because of their loyalty to the teachings of their inherited faith and because of the poor record of most 'christians' around them and throughout history. They may live a very peaceful life, but their progress stops. They cannot get to total union with God to live in the Kingdom of Heaven, unless they accept Christ - the only way to enter the spiritual dimension in this life. Rejecting Christ, they have thrown the proverbial baby out with the dirty bath water. They have rejected Christ, because of 'churchianity.'

We know people who have gone into the Light by a variety of meditation methods; one person using TM had the Light tell her that He would heal her. It was suggested to her that the Light was Christ, but that person rejected the Light to be Christ, because she had rebelled from a condemning fundamental christian sect. Rejecting the Light to be Jesus, she missed the opportunity to be healed of her sickness and the opportunity to attain union with God in his Kingdom.

So if he reveals himself to you in your meditations, this is not the Jesus of the deficit sects, who claim him as an excuse for an unholy lifestyle while condemning others living similarly, but this is Christ, the life which is the light of men. He said, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46. Believe in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. John 12:26.

Christ said to, "pray that you will have the strength to stand before the Son of Man." It refers to conviction. While sitting quietly waiting on the Lord, (meditation), which is necessary to attain purity, the Light shows us the evil that is in our heart. Our tendency is to deny it and to run from the light which shows us our condition. Christ is our excuse for the unholy thing we are, and our lifeline to stay or "stand," (not flee). We can't do it without him; it is too humiliating to accept without knowing that he died to be our savior and helper; he says PEACE, don't worry. He is our pass for being the way we are as we seek peace and enlightenment. Without the knowledge of a friend and savior, our meditations only go so far, because we draw back in fear of ourselves compared to God.

So, if when meditating, and you are shown something ugly about yourself by the Light, don't draw back; recognize it is the Light showing you your condition, and it is doing this to help us be rid of it and become a better person; and that Christ has died for us, so that we need not panic and draw away, but remain to focus on the Light that shows us our condition; we can claim his help by just believing in his name. And then, just when you don't expect it, strength will come; and whatever we have been shown as a defect in our heart, we will have strength to be different from then on. By loving the Light and feeling regret for what it is showing you while standing and not fleeing, you are receiving Christ, the Light. This doesn't commit you to 'churchianity' or attending one of the deficit sects' services; to the contrary, he would keep you out of them.

His good news that he was sent to the world to announce was: Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near; repentance being change in the light to purity; after purity, to enter paradise, the Kingdom of Heaven within and among us, our consciousness and sight translated to the spiritual dimension, living in union with Christ and God, but walking on earth by the light of God, as children of the light. For God is not far from each one of us and hopes that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him; for in him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:27-28. These writings show the way out of darkness to light. (Click for more.)

He created you. You are on the earth in the midst of evil. You were born in it. You are part of it. He doesn't blame you. He forgives you. His beloved first born Son has paid the price of all your sin. He wants you back with him. He wants to be with you. He wants to love you, and he wants you to love him. He wants to give you riches beyond your imagination, but a different kind of riches than what you know on earth. Trust him. He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him. He asks you to please listen to his Son in the Light and keep his commands. So he can give you his peace. Follow his commands; be free from worry, doubt, fear, agitation, uncontrolled emotion, habits - all of which disturb your peace. There is peace between God and you. Accept this peace and seek Him through the Light, Jesus. Who had the joy of creating you, and now has the joy of reuniting you with the Father. The Light awaits you. See Meditation for more.

If you've arrived at this site, still curious why Jesus is necessary, I have a challenge for you. Pick up a Bible (or click) and read the sermon on the Mount; it won't take long. If you've been seeking, it will ring beyond true. If you like it, read the book of John next. John identifies the beauty of the promises to us, particularly John 14 and John 17.  A grouping of of Jesus' commands to everyone and his criticisms of religious leaders are on the side bar. I believe you will find Christ's teachings so superior to anything you have read, that you will want to learn more; this happened to me. Jesus said, If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. John 7:17

The 'christians' of today are not examples of his teachings. The different deficit sects fight over the interpretation of the recorded words of the saints, (the interpretations of the Bible), without seeking the same Spirit that spoke the words; as He told me,"they fight over the husks, without ever discovering the corn."

Instead look through the rest of this site, including Coming out of the World, Meditation, and Christian Freedom; and read the main attraction on this site, the Letters and Journal of George Fox, the original Quaker, who in the 17th century England led tens of thousands to holiness and oneness with God; this people exhibited their moral ethnicity while they testified against all the "deficit sects" of christiandom as Godless. And they were reviled and persecuted for it; just as Jesus predicted would happen to his true followers! They also showed a remarkable love and their ministry exhibited power. Christ came so we could be one, with Him and the Father, on the earth in this life; so we could enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven here and now, after we go to him for his purification.

See Meditations for details on the lost way to union with God.

For those 'Christians' who want rid themselves of their sinful nature:

Your selfish nature must be crucified on on the inward cross of self-denial before we can be ruled by the Lord God. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24. Without having mortified the deeds and habits of the flesh, you have no part of Him; for without holiness, none shall see God. Hebrews 12:14. You were sold the false grace which says do nothing, just continue to live in your sinful nature; yet Jesus said: But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do [practice, obey] the things which I say? Luke 6:46. You have been cheated of true peace and from knowing that you could live in the Kingdom of Heaven within you, while on earth, which does not come with outward signs and visible display; he has already returned to thousands of believers who produced the fruit of repentance, who purified themselves to get ready for him.

And unto them that look for him, shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb 9:28

When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
For the pure in heart see God; the pure in heart experience the appearance of Christ, his return.

Jesus said: Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only] he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Mat 7:21-23. Obviously they called him Lord, and they had enough faith that he was the son of God to perform wonderful miracles in his name; but that was not enough - they practiced lawlessness, thinking there was no need to obey him! Jesus is saying that they have not made them their Lord in practice, who controls their lives in their actions and words; he doesn't know them to be his subjects as their ruling Lord. They say Jesus is Lord with their lips, but keep him far removed from their hearts to really be their Lord and King.

Jesus said: Not everyone who calls me Lord will enter heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father.
And how do you do the will of the Father? Then there came a voice out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My Son, My Chosen One or My Beloved; listen to and yield to and obey Him!” Luk 9:35
You must go to him, listen to him, hear him, and obey him - repeatedly.
Doing this will result in him cleansing you, making you fit to be in his presence, making him your ruling Lord in words and actions.
He [Jesus] became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him. Heb 5:9

To make him Lord, he has to first cleanse us of our sinful nature that makes us unruly, incapable of being subject to a Lord or King. Until he cleanses us, we are a slave to sin, incapable of being subject to a Lord or King. Jesus himself said, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. John 8:34. So we have to seek him to purify us by destroying our selfish, unruly, sinful nature; we have to sit quietly so that he, the Light and the Word, can teach us about himself and search our heart to show us our conditions; lead us to repent, and then cleanse us to be governable so he can truly rule us as our King and Lord. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; all who are of the truth hear my voice. John 10:27, 18:37.

Jesus came so he could destroy the the works of the devil in us - if we go to him.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, [in us] that he might destroy the works [sin] of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Jesus said: If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me. John 13:8   (This is not the ritual water baptism.)

If any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev 3:20. Sitting quietly while thinking on his name is how we learn from Him, get cleansed by Him, be led by Him, and come to know Him. Hearing his voice is not reading the Bible, it is hearing his voice. To hear someone, we have to listen; to listen we have to stop talking, reading, and racing our mind.

For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and does [practices] them, ...
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; securely.. Luke 6:47-48

He is extraordinarily patient toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Do not fear, you can experience the joy of real fellowship with Christ. I am not recruiting for any sect. I seek no followers; you have no need of any teacher but the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, 1 John 2:27; Christ in you, the hope of glory. I do not want your money. Everything on this site is free. Nothing is for sale. I only want you to know the freedom from the distress of sin. I want you to know that you can be so filled with love, that you go through the rest of you life obsessed with loving others and loving God. You can be full of everlasting joy and peace. You can have fellowship with the Father and the Son. You can become pure in heart and see God. You can have the Kingdom of God and the glorious Christ established in your heart. Go and read John 14 and John 17, to understand the true promises of God. But, you must pick up you cross daily and crucify your flesh's affections and lusts to be with God. Be of good courage and have faith, for compared to his cross, your burden is light and easy. The cross simply is to go to him, think on his name, listen, and obey. He said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." This is how you learn from him, (you will be taught, shown your condition, and you will receive personalized commands from Him to you):

• seeking the Kingdom of God, as your first priority, is an act of repentance and a cross to your selfish will
• turning away from evil, as you understand it, is an act of repentance and a cross to your selfish will
• you don't want to sit quietly every day to listen and watch, but if you do - it is a cross to your selfish will
  if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:20
  
• you don't want to obey his commands that you hear, but if you repent- it is a cross to your selfish will
• you don't want to forgive injustices done to you, but you repent and forgive - a cross to your angry self
• you don't want to admit and regret what the Light shows your condition to be, but if you repent - it is a cross to your will
  (this is the place where you get changed, where your peace increases; in the Light)
  
• you don't want to give to others from your excess, but if you repent from your selfishness and give- it is a cross to your will
• you don't want to defer (deny self) to others, rather than insist on your way, but if you repent and defer - it is a cross to your will

This is the Inward Cross of Self-Denial

If any will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

Jesus said: except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.Luke 13:3,5

Those who belong to Christ Jesus
have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24


See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for more detail.

He wants us to come to him so we can be taught and he can show us our condition; and by us repenting and obeying his commands, he purifies us until he and the Father come to establish their Kingdom in our hearts and translate us to paradise, all by grace; a grace that teaches us to live godly and righteously in this present world. Contrasted with the deficit sects' false, instant grace, Paul describes the true grace in letter to Titus stated below:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-4

(This is not instant grace; this is a teaching grace, a purifying grace; in this world. This takes time. You must be quiet to listen to be taught by grace, resulting in the appearance of God and Christ and leading you to good works.)

See True Grace vs. False Grace for more. 
If you think believing or baptism is all you need, see The Fallacy of John 3:16 Taken out of Context, and the The Missing Cross.
See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for how to get started listening.

You might be asking, how could this be true? Everyone believes that there is nothing I have to do but believe in Jesus, and maybe get baptized in water. The answer is in the Bible; countless examples in the history of Israel where they forgot the requirements of righteousness and became comfortable in their flesh. In cycles, a prophet would arise, point out their universal error, and then get persecuted or killed; then the people were punished, they repented and lived correctly until they again drifted back into a false religion. The same thing happened in the early church; Jude wrote in 1:4, For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality. All the deficit sects of today are simply variations on the doctrines established by the Roman emperor, and of course saint, Constantine in 325 AD regarding salvation and Christianity; the doctrines were further standardized by later Roman emperors, including the  sainted despot, Justinian. Within sixty-five years the true church, with its correct doctrines, was stamped out by the deceptive lure of their doctrine of instant, ritualized salvation, coupled with the Roman Empire's crushing boot of persecution for any deviation from their authorized, state religion. As predicted in the Bible's Book of Revelation, the church had adulterated with the Kings of the earth. For 1260 years the true church was banished to the wilderness, to appear again in 1650 with the breakthrough of the early Quakers - only to die again by 1880 due to the deception of presumptive salvation. People are eager to embrace the broad, easy way.

Even Adolph Hitler said Jesus was his Lord and Savior; but you saying so, doesn't make him your Lord in control of your words and deeds.

Read George Fox's Journal, and you will know for sure; just as they were surrounded by godless deficit sects, so are we today in an age of universal apostasy: false prophets, wolves in sheep's clothing, blind guides, minster's asking for your money, countless thousands of blind ministers taught by colleges instead of Christ, millions of blind followers in the ditch, still subject to rage, lusts, anger, greed, envy, emotions; with no purity, no peace, false hope, false gospels, false salvation, the missing cross, and no one entering the Kingdom. In response to a question, would many be saved? Christ said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many will go in there: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few will find it." Paul said, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (quaking)." So salvation is not as easy as you have been led to believe. You have been misled. It is easy to go with the herd; but beware, for Paul said, They that are in the flesh cannot please God. See the Missing Cross for more.

Christ is eager to help you enter by the narrow gate and for you to receive his Kingdom; but you must go to him. To learn to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. You must go to Him for the purpose of loosing your fleshly life to gain your spiritual Life; to attain purity through his grace and your faith in the power of the true gospel, the power of the cross, and the power of his name, Jesus Christ; all the power of God. Remember, all things work together for good for those who love God, to them who are called according his purpose. You have nothing to worry about. Even the things you did wrong in your life, worked to bring you to God, to be reunited with Him, to learn to love, to learn of God's love for you, to love God, to be loved by God, to become a son of love, to become love too. If you love Him, you will seek Him by going to him and getting quiet to hear his very soft voice. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you have to be purified. You can be purified on earth by grace through repentance, or you can be purified in the next life, through Hell to a much lower Heaven. Everyone will be purified eventually and receive right standing with God to live in Heaven; but purification in the next life is far harder and the subsequent life is far less. See Is There Hope for ALL Men and Women for more information. For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10