Without a doubt, many of us have learned more about the “Secret” Service since the first assassination attempt on former President Trump on July 13th followed by a second attempt on September 15th than we ever expected, or maybe really wanted, to learn. We’ve heard scathing accusations of alleged administrative failures and detailed descriptions of what should have been done. We’ve watched the events unfold through police body cameras, videos from attendees’ cell phones, and scenes captured by news agencies. The courageous responses of those who put their bodies between the President and the shooter have been praised again and again. So much has been revealed about the Secret Service that it might be reasonable to suggest changing the agency’s name. After all, they’re not really very “secret” anymore. We could adopt a pattern like many did with Twitter after Elon Musk bought it and changed the name. They referred to it as, “‘X’ – the platform formerly known as Twitter.” We could refer to the Secret Service as “The Protective Service Agency formerly known as ‘Secret’”.

Another Revelation ~
But beyond the complaints and praises about what the Secret Service did or didn’t do, there’s another important revelation that we shouldn’t overlook. We’ve seen, in a disturbingly real way, just how vulnerable our elected officials are, even with the Secret Service protecting them. Without these brave men and women watching out for them and ready to sacrifice their lives to protect and defend them, they’d be sitting ducks for any crazed lunatic, hired assassin, or obsessed ideologue just waiting for an opportune moment to strike. Secret Service agents show up for work every day in a unique kind of war zone. The enemies who stalk the person they’re sworn to protect wear no uniform and can’t be identified by race, gender, age, ethnicity, or nationality. They’re up against incredible odds all the time, and even when they do their best work, most people aren’t aware of it. 

But my thoughts and my focus this morning are not just on the government’s “Not-so-Secret” Service. It occurred to me as I pondered these recent events that there’s another vitally important protective service organization that could use some fresh exposure. While this organization’s work focuses on individuals, how they do their job can have national as well as individual implications. This agency’s field representatives do have weapons, but their defensive tactics don’t involve firearms. And like their Federal comrades, a willingness to sacrifice is required for this agency as well. As a matter of fact, it’s more than just a guiding principle. For them, sacrifice is a foundational concept advocated and demonstrated from the top down. It applies to every role, every position. And as it is with their Secret Service counterparts, this agency’s protective role is also vital. Failure to do the job they’re assigned to do can have devastating implications.

An Unacknowledged Function ~
You’ve realized right away, of course, that field representatives of the protective service agency I’m referring to are not called “agents.” They’re called “disciples.” Followers of Jesus may not think of themselves as agents assigned to defend and protect others, but in a very real sense, that’s one of the primary functions of the work we’re called to do. Jesus came into this world to put Himself between the ones He loved and the lethal weapons targeting them. He came to surveil the paths we travel, to disrupt the enemy’s offenses, to expose his disguises, and ultimately, to step into the crosshairs and take the deadly shot intended for us. 

Now, He has sent us in His place to continue His work. We are, in a sense, His called, equipped, and commissioned “field agents.” We’ve been dispatched to defend and protect vulnerable souls from the deceptive and deadly attacks of the enemy. Like that other Secret Service, some of our most important and effective work is done behind the scenes and it’s never noticed. But, then, we aren’t sent to glorify ourselves, seek accolades, or achieve awards. The King we serve will take care of all that when we retire. 

Scriptural Validation ~
This may sound like just a fanciful illusion, but there are some interesting comments and directives God gave us that lend credibility to a perspective like this. Here are just a few of them: 

• • The government agency is designated as a “service,” meaning the agents signed up to “serve” – and so did we. Our church gatherings are called a “service,” but God has much more in mind for that term than showing up occasionally to watch the show. Those government agents don’t just show up when the rallies begin and then go home when it’s over – and neither should we. Service is active, not passive.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23–24 NKJV)

• • Careful surveillance is a large part of what makes Secret Service agents successful, and that’s true for us as well. The enemy we face is incredibly deceitful, and his disguises are very creative. He’s often difficult to detect and loves to infiltrate our own ranks. So God said:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15 NKJV)

• • The enemy loves surprise attacks and finding us unprepared. Knowing the threats and warning those whom the enemy targets is a primary function for Jesus’ field agents. 

Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (Acts 20:31 NKJV)

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1:28 NKJV)

• • Effective field agents are constantly encouraging, strengthening, and supporting one another, and when the enemy attacks, they not only protect the targets, they protect one another.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another … (Romans 12:9–10 NKJV)

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:14–15 NKJV)

• • A field agent’s work is a labor of love like no other. It isn’t the kind of cuddly, feel-good, emotional affection associated with that term. It’s much deeper than that.

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:12–13 NKJV)

• • There are rewards for a field agent’s work, of course, but the greatest reward he or she can achieve is a life snatched away from the enemy’s grasp. 

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19–20 NKJV)

Earlier this week, a former President’s life was saved because a Secret Service agent saw the tip of a rifle barrel sticking through a chain link fence. 

• • Do you know why he saw it? It’s because he was looking. He was checking out places an attacker might hide. 
  • Want to know how the enemy infiltrated our schools, took over our mainstream news agencies, entrenched himself in our social media, and turned so many of our churches into isolated, detached “safe houses” to retreat into and hide? It’s because we abandoned our role as field agents in our King’s protective service. 

But even now, I wonder how many souls might be saved and how many attacks might be foiled if we begin to take our role more seriously. The One who put Himself between us and the death headed our way has called us into His service. It’s time to take our job as the King’s field agents seriously and to help make the spiritual Secret Service not so “secret” anymore.

“TWEETABLES” ~ Click to Tweet & Share from the pull quotes below. Each quote links directly to this article through Twitter.

• • • For disciples, sacrifice is a foundational concept advocated and demonstrated from the top down. It applies to every role, every position. Failure to do the job they’re assigned to do can have devastating implications. @GallaghersPen (Click here to Tweet)
    • “Jesus came to put Himself between the ones He loved and the lethal weapons targeting them. He came to surveil the paths we travel, to disrupt the enemy’s offenses, to expose his disguises, and ultimately, to step into the crosshairs and take the deadly shot intended for us. @GallaghersPen (Click here to Tweet)
    • Effective field agents are constantly encouraging, strengthening, and supporting one another, and when the enemy attacks, they not only protect the targets, they protect one another. @GallaghersPen (Click here to Tweet)
    • The greatest reward field agents can achieve is a life snatched away from the enemy’s grasp. “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the … (James 5:19–20)”. @GallaghersPen (Click here to Tweet)

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