Before God awakens our souls from death to new life, we are stuck in darkness. We need God to shine the light of the gospel into our night.
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/new-god-new-gospel-new-gladness/
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/new-god-new-gospel-new-gladness/excerpts/the-problem-with-american-christianity