The first four verses of Scripture lay out the pattern of our redemption in Christ. They are historically accurate, and yet beautifully fashioned in a manner that reveals the romantic heart of our God.
These verses declare, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness."
These profound and yet simple verses provide us with a glimpse of both the Trinity and the biblical pattern of redemption.
How do these verses offer us a glimpse of the Trinity? We are told that God created. Then we are told that the Spirit moved. And finally the Word (which would later become flesh) was spoken. In each of the first three verses of Scripture, a person of the Trinity is introduced as present and working in the story of creation.
Yet even more striking than this is the fact that the pattern of creation mirrors our own stories of redemption from sin. We too were once surrounded by darkness; our lives seemed empty of meaning and void of purpose. Yet the Holy Spirit moved within the depths of our souls, and we were called from the darkness. The Word, who called Himself the Light of the World, was spoken into existence within our hearts, and we were forever changed. At that moment, we became the light which separated from darkness!
The transforming manner in which the Gospel operates seems to be an echo of the story of creation. It is as if God is winking to us, declaring that the Gospel is bringing forward another creation, and we are the firstfruits of Christ's new creation. (1) We were first in darkness. (2) The Spirit moved in the depths of our soul. (3) The Word was spoken to us, and brought forth the light of Christ in our lives. And (4) light separated from darkness.
This is a concept captured by the Apostle Paul. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul explains that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). And just how does this creation take place? In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul points out, "You were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth..."
Just as light marked the first day of God's creation, so too are we (the church) among the first of Christ's new creations.
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