I have a Keurig coffee maker in my office. I like it for 2 major reasons; It’s extremely convenient and I can have several varieties of hot drinks for anyone who comes to my office. Whatever I’m in the mood for that day, as long as I have the K-Cup, I’m good to go. Do you want regular coffee? I’ve got it. Want tea? I’ve got it. Want a flavored coffee? I’ve got it. And it’s all yours in 2 minutes or less. (now imagine Tim Allen doing his man grunt from Home Improvement)
As I sit here looking at it, I had an epiphany. Far too many Christians look for a Keurig church or want a Keurig faith. We want everything convenient and fast. Simple sermons, worship time out by lunch, low conviction levels, and style to fit our taste. We look for churches that cater to our desires. We want a faith that doesn’t take much effort and we can feel good about it at the end of the day.
In a world of soundbites and memes, unpacking a theological concept just doesn’t work for us. It’s too much effort to really dig deep and study out a topic; just give me the basics. I get we need to start simple and grow in our understanding of various teachings. My issue is that we still have Christians who have been Christians for 20 plus years and aren’t any better grounded than when they first became a Christian. The Hebrew writer expressed the same frustration in Hebrews 5:11-14(NLT) — 11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
But the Hebrew writer didn’t stop there. In chapter 6 vs 1 he says (NLT) — 1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding... That’s where we must head, spiritual maturity. Proper understanding of scripture. Maybe we need to get rid of the spiritual Keurig and get the old Percolator out. It takes longer, but it’s a better understanding in the end.