WHAT IS A SPIRITUAL LEADER?

WHAT IS A SPIRITUAL LEADER?
By Tommy Franks

What is a spiritual leader? I believe it is someone who has the mission of bringing the Good News (God’s promises) to an imperfect people. The true leader remains committed to this purpose…Until things begin to happen in a positive way to bring a little bit of heaven
to earth. The leader will continue to say what God says. The promises of God will come to pass. The true leader hates the sin, inconsistencies, imperfections, and rebellion in his followers; however, he loves the
real person (the ones he leads). He does NOT despise the individual for their sins. He implements mercy and grace upon them.

Yes, the spiritual leader will be criticized…unjustly most of the time. That is part of being a true leader. He will position himself between the judgments of God and the mercy of God. God likes this because He, Himself, is a merciful God who will abundantly pardon. Forgiveness is part of His character! Mercy and Grace will follow.

The leader will find a way to change the mind of God; ie., Moses. The leader will intervene when judgment is at the door. God will change His mind again and again through a true spiritual leader. Will the leader
make mistakes? Absolutely! That is why he is a leader because he learns from others as well as his own mistakes. This is part of leadership! Remember, the leader (sent from God) has a mission to bring imperfect individuals to the precious promises of God. The leader will see it through to fulfillment. Yes, there will be setbacks and obstacles; ie., Moses. But the promises of God will prevail!

Sometimes, the wonderful God Whom we serve wants to
deliver judgment to certain rebellious individuals; ie., the golden calf people. But God’s nature is such that He would really rather have mercy and
grace upon them…If He could only find a leader to intervene for them. Sometimes, a leader will be despitefully used by the very ones that he is trying to help. Many times, he will be misunderstood by
fellow soldiers of the Cross. Sometimes, a true leader will even get angry; however, he will find a way to allow God’s love to shine through even during these moments. The leader will persevere to the fulfillment
of God’s promises. The leader knows his purpose, mission, assignment, goals, and destiny. He will change the mind of God (Ex.32:14) several times throughout his journey on Planet Earth.

The spiritual leader not only knows the Word, but he lives it. It has become a part of him. It feeds him and gives him fresh life and anointing. God speaks to the leader as He did to Jeremiah (Jer.5:1) and says, “My son, I am seeking you to do justice, to seek truth. Now,
that I have found you, I will pardon your whole city. All I need is one man or one woman who will stand in the gap…and I will abundantly pardon your whole neighborhood, city, state, and country.” This is a powerful paradigm (pattern) of God! But this is His
standard and model of love and forgiveness. The true spiritual leader sent by God…understands this and lives it.