• “The Holy Spirit tells me in city after city…” (Acts 20:23 NLT)

• “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” (Acts 20:28)

Words like these jumped off the pages repeatedly. What became painfully clear is the reality that we are not seeing this same pattern in the Church today. What was common among the believers in Acts seems rare now. I am not just addressing this lack in the lives of others, but first and foremost the lack in my own life. As I read, I realized I had drawn back from enjoying, seeking out, and depending on the leadership, camaraderie, interaction, and powerful influence of the Spirit of God. Once this became clear to me, how could I keep from sharing it with you?

Upfront Statements

Allow me to make some upfront statements that will become clearer the more we delve into this important discussion:

First, there is virtually no Christian life without the Holy Spirit.

• Without the Holy Spirit, Christianity is dry, monotonous, and mundane.

• Without the Holy Spirit, our labor is draining and wearisome.

• Without the Holy Spirit, there is no fellowship with God.

Remove the Holy Spirit from a church and one of two things will happen:

• It will morph into a social club.

• It will become a religious institution.

The truth is…

• There is no revelation without the Holy Spirit. In fact, without the Spirit Scripture becomes lethal; for we are told, “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6).

• There is no vision without the Holy Spirit.

• There is no joy without Him.

• There is no peace without Him.

• There is no freedom without the Holy Spirit.

The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT)

Look at the words “wherever the Spirit of the Lord is.” Let’s think this through. God’s Spirit is omnipresent—He’s everywhere at all times. David states, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). The answer is emphatically, nowhere. David continues to write, “If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, you’d find me in a minute—you’re already there waiting!” (Psalm 139:8-10 The Message). It’s crystal clear, He is everywhere at all times.

So the next question we must ask is, “Is there freedom everywhere?” Look again at Paul’s words: “Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” We have proven that He is everywhere; so again, is there freedom everywhere? The answer to this is, absolutely no. There isn’t freedom in brothels, bars, prisons, and hospitals. I’ve been to neighborhoods, schools, homes, and even churches where there is no freedom. So what is Scripture declaring here? I suggest that this would be a more accurate translation: