From the Gospel of John, it is clear that God does not want to remain hidden, but delights to reveal Himself. He created people in His image, capable of knowing Him. He redeems us from the darkness, that we may know Him.
In the Beginning was the Word, the Word Who is God–the second person of the Trinity Who speaks and makes known. “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
Darkness cannot, did not, will not.
Yet the Light shines, and is the life of men. Our life is hidden in Christ and to have Life is to know Him, to bask in His Light. To know Him as He has revealed Himself. Not our opinions of who god ought to be, that is a god of our own making. That god is powerless to save us, to help us. That god gives false comfort as we wallow in darkness. That god changes with our whims, our culture, our fickle desires.
But the true Light enlightens us (John 1:9) that we may know Him, know Truth, know ourselves. And in that knowledge we see Him, love Him, grow in understanding of all He created, and enjoy His love for us. And that Light that enlightens us, gives us life–and then we can say John 1:12 is true of us: For as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.”
We Were Born in Darkness
And, as creatures born in darkness, we loved the darkness; but God shined His Light into our hearts–enlightening us; and we were rescued from the domain of darkness! (see Colossians 1, perhaps even commit a season to meditating on this chapter) And only then, we became children of God.
Knowing God
The Gospel of John begins this way, and Jesus’ last prayer closes this way too. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) The Gospel account begins and Jesus’ ministry ends with the desire that His people would know Him, find Life in Him. Eternal, abundant life.
This very thing excited Paul, you can find reference to light and darkness in so many of his epistles. 2 Corinthians chapter four especially. The Gospel is hidden from those who live in darkness, whose minds are blinded by “the god of this world” [you know, Satan].
“That they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord… For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:4b-6
This passage is worthy of our time, meditating on it often. Read it slowly, out loud, placing emphasis on different words each time. Focus on Christ as active, and you as passive. Your own cleverness or common sense or good wits had nothing to do with you understanding the Gospel, or knowing God.
He rescued us from the effects sin had on our capacity to know and understand. Our Warrior King swooped in upon His foe, rescued us from his clutch and has promised to keep us forever in the Kingdom of His Beloved Son. We loved the darkness when our minds were darkened. But now we have the True Light, it has shone in our hearts.