Matthew Henry uses the description of the earth as “formless, void, and dark” in Genesis 1:2 as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual condition of an individual who has not been born again (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1997, p. 1). Just as the earth was in a state of darkness and emptiness before God began His work of creation, so too are the lives of those who are spiritually dead—those who have not yet experienced the saving grace of God through Christ. Paul expresses this in Ephesians 2:1, stating that those who are not saved are “dead in trespasses and sins.” Apart from God, human life is formless, void, and filled with spiritual darkness. Without Him, our lives are not only aimless but also meaningless, marred by the weight of sin.
In a similar way to how the Gap Theory suggests that the earth fell into a state of ruin and disorder, we too are fallen creatures, tarnished by sin. Genesis 3 tells of the fall of mankind and the subsequent curse that affected not only humanity but all of creation. This fall brought judgment, and one day, just as the present earth will pass away and be replaced by a new earth, those who remain in their sin without repentance will face eternal judgment. Jesus warns of this in Matthew 25:30, where He speaks of casting the unrepentant into “outer darkness,” a place of eternal separation from God’s light and love, filled with “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Yet, there is hope even in this darkness. In Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, bringing life and order to the dark, empty earth. In the same way, the Holy Spirit moves over the dark waters of our souls, convicting us of our sins and drawing us toward the light of God. What was once formless and void can be shaped by the hands of the Creator into something beautiful. Isaiah 64:8 echoes this truth when it declares that we are the clay and God is the potter. If we surrender to Him, He can reshape us into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).
Those who are not born again walk in darkness, blind to spiritual truth. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them. However, the Holy Spirit works continually, convicting and illuminating the hearts of those who are in darkness. How glorious is the transformation when those who once walked in spiritual blindness see the great light! As Isaiah 9:2 prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light,” a prophecy fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 4:16). Just as light brought life to the earth in the creation story, the light of Christ brings abundant life to those who are born again—not just a life filled with purpose and joy, but eternal life (Romans 6:23).
Instead of being cast into eternal darkness, those who are saved by God’s grace will spend eternity in His glorious presence, basking in the radiant light of His love. In contrast to the fate of those who reject Him, the redeemed will dwell with God forever, living in the light and joy that flows from Him.
To receive this gift of salvation and be saved from the penalty of sin, we are called to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31). This belief is more than intellectual assent; it is a deep, heartfelt trust in Christ. We must repent, turning away from our sins, acknowledging that we are helpless sinners deserving of judgment, and desiring to turn to God for forgiveness. We must believe that Jesus is God, who lived a perfect and sinless life, and that He took our sins upon Himself, dying in our place. His resurrection from the dead confirms His victory over sin and death, and we are called to publicly confess our faith in Him (Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32).
When we do this, an incredible exchange takes place: just as Jesus bore our sins on the cross, He imputes His perfect righteousness to us. This is what it means to be “born again” (John 3:7)—a spiritual rebirth. While we were once “dead in trespasses and sins,” through faith in Christ, we are made alive, “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).
If you have not yet experienced this transformation, I urge you to consider the state of your soul. Do you know the Creator of the Universe as your personal Lord and Savior? I pray that today you will turn to Him, for in Him alone can you find the light, life, and eternal hope you need.