If you have been a follower of Jesus for a while you have often heard how important it is to grow toward maturity. The Scripture has plenty to say about spiritual growth and its impact on our fellowship with the Lord. We grow so that we can have a more intimate relationship with the Father. We push toward maturity so that we will not fall into temptation.

I could list many benefits that motivate us toward maturity, but I believe there is one paramount reason for spiritual maturity and it has to do with developing enduring strength. I am not referring to strength for you, even though that is a side benefit, but I am referring to the strength you give to others.

Paul gives us an excellent explanation of the purpose of maturity in Romans 15:1-4. I like the rendering of this passage in the paraphrase called the Message.

“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not statue. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” That is what Jesus did, He took on the troubles of the troubled.”

Maturity brings strength and strength brings hope, not only to us but to those around us who are troubled. Jesus who is our example, took on the troubles of those who had no hope and imparted hope. Spiritual maturity motivates us to give our life away and by doing so imparting hope. Show me a person who complains about helping others and I will show you a person who is lacking spiritual maturity. To say it another way, we are to be imparters of hope.

It has been said that every person continually influences and impacts at least five different people. That means that at any given time throughout your life, there are five people watching and following what you say and do. The direction of their life will be impacted by your influence. We won’t always be aware of the identity of those five people because some are watching from the shadows.

So a person who is spiritually mature will display Christ’s strength and strength gives hope. It’s not how much you know but it is “Who” you know. By having an intimate relationship with the Father the resulting maturity causes you to know Christ and then manifest His very life. (Philippians 3:10).

I encourage you to move outside your comfort zone. Trust your spiritual maturity to impact your world. You may not realize it, but the living Christ within you is a magnet of hope to those who are troubled. You don’t have to beat people over the head with Scripture to impact their life. Just walk in maturity and let the living Christ within you draw people to you. Remember, your maturity brings strength that produces hope. Be prepared to give your life away.