Double Agents

In a song by Amanda Marshall she sings, "I'm a double agent on my Mama's side." This prompted me to ask if there is any double agency in my life. Do I outwardly represent a certain position or way of life but secretly think or act differently? Is there duplicity between my public self and my private self? If I am honest the answer is "Yes". There are things I do and say, when I am in private, that are inconsistent with the person I try to be in public. I am not proud of this fact but I continue, with God's help, to struggle toward a life that has more integrity. To be successful this involves repeated cycles of interaction with God and others through: (a)confession, (b) seeking forgiveness, (c) giving thanks, (d) making amends, and (e) praying for the strenght to resist my duplicity in the future.

a) Double Agent Solomon - In 2 Chronicles, Chapter 9 the Queen of Sheba praises King Solomon saying, "God made you King over Israel, to do justice and righteousness. His public image was that of a man who follows God and does the right things for his people. Solomon does not correct her impression but we know his life was one of double agency. He does not always act according to God's will. His pride and his passions often get the better of him. In disobedience to God he takes foreign wives, treats his people harshly, and is side-tracked by materialism and lust. In the end he realizes his folly and admits that so much of life is just chasing after the wind. He says that meaning in life comes from honouring God and working hard.

b) Double Agent Christians - In the book of Jude we hear about supposed Christians who in truth are defectors from the faith. These double agents are referred to as "clouds without water", "trees without fruit", and "waves foaming up their shame." They are nominally part of the congregation but their duplicity is exposed when they are found to be: morally perverted, grumblers, fault finders, self seeking, arrogant, flatterers, mockers, divisive, and worldly minded. Some even deny Christ.

c) Double Agent Tribe - In Chapter 2 of Zepaniah the prophet warns the tribe of Judah about their duplicity as members of God's choosen people. He says their idolatry, greed, and complacency are the reasons for God's judgement against them. Gold and silver will not deliver an unrepentent Judah from the punishment of God.

d) Double Agent Govenor - In Luke, Chapter 23 the Roman Govenor Pilate is an agent of Rome but has leanings to Jesus' side. His duty to Rome is being challenged by his conscience that sees no justification for executing Jesus. It appears that his wife was a double agent on the Christian side. Inspite of this, Pilate chooses political expediency and then attempts to wash his hands and his conscience of the responsibility for sending Jesus to the cross.

e) Double Agent Council Member - In the same chapter of Luke we hear about Joseph of Arimathea, who arranged for Jesus' burial. He was a double agent on Jesus' side. In public he was part of the Jewish Council but in private he was a "secret disciple of Jesus." He did not consent, like the majority of the council, to the crucifixion of Jesus. He was a good and just man.