Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?

Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it;[1] who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel.[2]

1. Eph. 1:13-14

   In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

   
   John 6:37, 39

   All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

   And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

   
   John 10:15-16

   …just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

   And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

2. Eph. 2:8

   For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God …

   II Cor. 4:13

   So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self  is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 59

Easter Week Reading and Listening

I’ve linked to these in the sidebar section A Few Good Reads,  but they are too important to take the chance that you’ll miss them there.

• I recommend that you set aside a bit of time this week to listen to D. A. Carson’s sermon, The Ironies of the Cross.
• Don’t miss the collection of testimonies to the resurrection power of the new life at Challies.com.

Do you have other recommended reading or listening for this week?

Favorite Things: What Is It?

I’ve been spring cleaning and I’ve been reminded of some of the interesting things I have.  Here’s one item.

Your job is to tell me what this is.