In recent years, I’ve been reminded how God replaces our “baby teeth” and gives us permanent “new teeth”. I’ve seen the process repeated over and over for my grandson.

What’s the process?

There’s discomfort and pain as the “baby teeth” fall out.

Afterwards, there’s an empty space that hinders eating, speaking and healing.

Slowly, the new teeth poke through the gum, causing discomfort and itching.

At last, the permanent, pearly-white new teeth emerge fully.

In our civilizations, there is a similar process.

The “baby teeth” of temptations must be overcome.

What kinds of temptations are found in a civilization? The temptations to serve the Power of Money, the Power of Religion, and the Power of the Kingdoms of the World.

During his public ministry, Jesus showed us the Way to defeat these temptations.

He fasted for 40 days. (Isaiah 58:6-11).

He quoted and applied Scriptures that conveyed the wisdom that Israel learned during 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; please read my blogs “Beware the Power of Money”, “Beware the Power of Religion”, “Beware the Power of the Kingdoms of this World”, “Do Not Live on Bread Alone”, “Do Not Jump Off the Temple”, and “Do Not Seek the Kingdoms of the World and Their Authority”.)

During his public ministry, Jesus showed us the Way to have the will of God done on Earth as it is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10).

Jesus healed the ill-effects of:

—the Power of Money (Luke 12:13-21; Luke 18:18-30; Luke 19:1-10);

—the Power of Religion (John 8:2-11; Luke 19:45-46; Luke 20:45-47); and

—the Power of the Kingdoms of the World (Luke 19:1-10; Luke 20:20-26; John 6:12-15,66; Luke 9:54-55; Mark 10:42-45).

Jesus showed us the Way to live by sacrificing his life on the Cross to overcome the combined Powers of Money, Religion, and Kingdoms of the World. (please read my blogs “Jesus Climbs the Temple Mount”, “Beware the Power of Money”, “Beware the Power of Religion”, and “Beware the Power of the Kingdoms of the World and Their Authority”).

The Prophet Isaiah taught that a civilization needs to overcome the gaps in its wisdom by seeing and hearing, perceiving and understanding, feeling and healing (Isaiah 6:9-10).

Jesus taught us that we will not know the times and seasons for how and when the will of God will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. (Acts 1:3-8).

Instead, our role is to bear witness to his teachings, his example, and his Resurrection. (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:17-20).

How?

As Philemon bore witness—when he freed his slave Onesimus, as suggested by the Apostle Paul. (Philemon 1:8-21).

As countless followers of the Way of Jesus bear witness—when they work to “overcome the gates of Hell” by doing the will of God. (Matthew 16:15-19; Matthew 6:9-10; Matthew 28:18-20).

Sometimes their actions help only those individuals who they impact directly through their actions as an individual, such as Philemon’s action as an individual freeing his personal slave, Onesimus.

Sometimes, actions of people such as Roger Williams, the Abolitionists, Abraham Lincoln, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. help countless multitudes by changing cultural and legal systems of evil that perpetuate the Power of Money, the Power of Religion, and the Power of the Kingdoms of the World.

Both changing our actions as individuals to act justly and righteously by personal interactions—as well as changing our actions as groups to act justly and righteously by establishing customs and laws that are just and righteous—are kinds of “salt”, “light” and “seeds” that gradually grow into a civilization that is good—that is very good! (Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 13:18-23).

What do these pearly-white “new teeth” of a good civilization look like?

—a civilization where all people are being blessed!

—a civilization where all pharaohs are setting all people free!

—a civilization where all people are being healed!

—a civilization where all people includes ALL people!

—a civilization where “justice roll[s] on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:24)!

READ MORE

For parallel thoughts applied to our individual lives, please read my blog “New Teeth: In Our Lives”.

For additional thoughts inspired by needing good “teeth”, please read my blogs “The Good Dentist: Deep Cleanings” and “The Good Dentist: My Crown”.

For additional thoughts inspired by my grandson, please read my blogs “The Christmas Star: I Saw It in Real Life!”, “Honoring God with Only Our Lips”, “What Makes a Hero Good?”, “Video Game Strategy: Getting Crucified”, “Sprouting Seeds Takes Patience”, “Birthdays”, “I Love You Gram. Bye!”, “Let the Creator Show and Tell Me What To Do”, and “New Teeth: In Our Lives”.

For the importance of changing systems of laws and customs—as well as of changing our actions as individuals, please read my blogs “Spilling Coffee” and “Individuals and Systems, Now and Forever, Now and Inseparable”.