Hearing the Word and acting on it

I saw Pirates of the Caribbean: On Princes Tide the other day and was pleasantly surprised by the religious tones. Yeah this is the normal Captain Jack Sparrow and his escapades, but it was different with the addition of a Christian character. Now I am not saying that this is a Christian movie, as there is still all black magic and voodoo.

There is a new leading lady in this movie and she is the daughter of Blackbeard the Pirate. This movie’s plot was about searching for Ponce De Leon’s fountain of youth. There are 2 ships and crews set out to get there first. [One ship with Blackbeard and the other with Captain Barbossa.] On-board Blackbeard’s ship is this new Christian character that was brought aboard by his daughter in hopes of converting her father, Blackbeard, to Christianity.

The first time we see this character he is actually tied to the mast of the ship. [Hmm, I was thinking like tied on a cross.] Philip Swift was a young stalwart missionary in the Caribbean and was on a mission completely unlike the pirates, scalawags, kings, and sailors all in pursuit of the Fountain; he was on a mission of salvation.

Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Even when he was taken prisoner by Blackbeard and ruthlessly tortured, Philip's spirit remained unbroken. Idealistic, courageous, and fearless, this missionary defied even Blackbeard in an attempt to rescue the terrible pirate's soul.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Unfortunately, this character eventually falls into the ways of the magic and voodoo, as he falls in love with a mermaid. But this also is a lesson for us:

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

What most amazed me about the religious tones of this movie was toward the end. As Blackbeard and Barbossa begin to battle each other, the Spanish come and destroy the fountain. But before they destroyed it, the leader of the Spaniards, declares that "Only God can grant eternal life."

AMEN! Unfortunately, just like in real life, those words go unheeded. The battle still continues after the Spanish leave and the search for the earthly eternal life is again center stage.

How many times have you heard that God can grant eternal life and not heeded the call? What, you say you haven’t heard that?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Okay, so now you have heard, what are you going to do?