I've been mediating lately on Titus 3:3-7, trying to memorize it.

3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

I'm comforted to know that our salvation is not dependent in any way on "works of righteousness which we have done," but, rather, "His mercy." "Works of righteousness," I think, transcends the narrow definition of Old Testament law, and brings the whole idea of "works" into the realm of anything we do to become righteous in His eyes. We can't do anything, not without Him initiating in us and working through our hearts.

I've been free -- thank you, JESUS -- from sexual addiction for almost three years now! When I think about my previous level of addiction, and how it's completely non-existent in my life now, I'm amazed -- simply amazed. I know that I have nothing to do with being free, because my will is not sovereign and self-determining -- His is.

Thank you, Yahweh. It's worth everything.