The first part of the Sequence of the Holy Spirit is conviction. The Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers to bring about an awareness of their sinfulness. This conviction is not meant to bring about a sense of shame or despair but rather a recognition of the need for a Savior. In John 16:8-9, Jesus explains that one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” This means that the Holy Spirit helps us to recognize our need for a Savior, which leads us to the next step in the Sequence.
The second part of the Sequence is conversion. Once we recognize our need for a Savior, we turn to Jesus Christ for salvation. At this point, we become born again and receive the Holy Spirit. This is a critical step in the Sequence of the Holy Spirit because it marks the beginning of our new life in Christ. In Acts 2:38, Peter tells the crowd, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The gift of the Holy Spirit is what gives us the power to live out our new life in Christ.
Once we have been converted, the third part of the Sequence is growth. Growth is a natural part of the Christian life. It involves developing a deeper relationship with God, learning more about His Word, and growing in our faith. The Holy Spirit is the One who helps us to grow. In 2 Peter 3:18, Peter encourages believers to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This growth happens as we spend time in prayer, reading the Bible, attending church, and fellowshipping with other believers.
The fourth part of the Sequence is sanctification. Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God’s purposes. It involves becoming more like Christ and living a life that is pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit is the One who helps us to live a sanctified life. He empowers us to resist temptation and to walk in holiness. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Paul writes, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”
The final part of the Sequence of the Holy Spirit is glorification. Glorification is the end result of the Christian life. It is when we are finally made perfect and are able to stand before God without blemish. Glorification happens when we enter into the presence of God in heaven. The Holy Spirit is the One who helps us to reach this final step. In Romans 8:30, Paul writes, “Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
In conclusion, the Sequence of the Holy Spirit is a natural progression of events that lead to a deeper relationship with God. It starts with conviction, leads to conversion, and progresses through growth, sanctification, and finally ends in glorification. As believers, we should seek to follow this sequence in our own lives as we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us.