As I sat down to write this article, I did it with a great sense of thankfulness to the Lord. He delivered me from the bondage of alcoholism, 43 years ago today. I will be forever grateful to him.

Then, the article took a God turn when I said, “I believe that qualifies me to say that it is possible to STAY sober.” I thought about the word “qualify” and the following is the result.

I am qualified to say I have been set free. John 8:36: “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” I am qualified to say that it was the truth that set me free. John 8:32: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” I am also qualified to say that I am a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” I am also qualified to say that I am a child of God. Romans 8:16: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

I could go on and on with, “I am more than a conqueror in Christ”; “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me”; “I have eternal life, fear no longer plagues me” — but as I write this, I realize that the last 43 years of my life has been qualified by the word of God. It would take up way more space than I have in this article to write how much his word has qualified me.

I now realize that the alcoholism in my life, the fear, the hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness, the lust, all disqualified me from living any kind of sane life. I was living a life of lies. I see that in the world today, and everything stemming from the woke agenda. They are living a life based on the flesh, unqualified feelings, and opinions.

The qualified word of God says in Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” The qualified word of God says that marriage is between one man and one woman. Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The qualified word of God says God died for ALL races. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The qualified word of God says that life begins in the womb. Psalm 139:13: “For You formed my inward parts, You covered me in my mother’s womb.”

When you oppose the qualified word of God, you are going to find division. That is what is happening in this country. Jesus talked about that in Luke 11:17:

“But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.’ ” God also gave us a warning in Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

I know that some will be offended by what I say. That is OK. I understand that it is not me you are offended at, but the truth of God’s word. The qualified truth of the word of God will always be offensive to some.

Please believe me, I am not here to tell you that you cannot live an unqualified life. I am here to tell you what a qualified life looks like. It will always be your choice. I am so glad that all my life is being qualified by the truth of the word of God.

I want to leave you with a quote from the late President Ronald Reagan: “If we forget we are a nation under God, we will be a nation gone under.”

Hasselstrom is an evangelist with Cross Tied Ministries.