From chaotic, primeval darkness came the voice of God, "Let there be light!" And the light came forth, without resistance, and certainly not of itself, for it had not before existed. Behind the word was the decretive, all-powerful will of God, which was sufficient cause for the light and the whole universe to exist (Revelation 4:11). The darkness could never have created the light, for from nothing comes nothing. The darkness lacked ability to become light of itself, and of itself it is opposed to light. And the light, once summoned by the will and word of God, could not have resisted coming forth.

Paul, by inspiration of the Spirit, draws a dramatic and beautiful parallel in 2 Corinthians 4. He describes how the gospel is veiled to unbelievers by the darkness of the god of this age. Those who are in darkness have no spiritual life; they are perishing (vv. 3-4).

But God, just as He had done at the beginning in creating physical light, just as he "said 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light to shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (v.6). And this light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ, this light of salvation, comes forth by the same will and word of God. It could never exist of itself. It could never be conceived or reasoned by the mind of man who was blinded to the gospel by the god of this age. And as God made his light to shine in our hearts, it could not fail to do so.

Paul understands that when he preaches not himself but Christ, he relies on the will and word of God shining like a light in the heart of a blind sinner to provide the saving knowledge of the glory of God. As the first creation was, so is this glorious second creation, from beginning to end the work of God! And thus he shall receive the glory in the face of Christ!