It actually does matter when God gives a soul to a baby—and in fact, it’s a very important issue, as I hope you’ll see.

The reason it’s so important is this: If a newborn baby has no soul (even an undeveloped one), then it isn’t really a full human being. And if it isn’t fully human, what is to prevent us from destroying it if we want, just as we might an unwanted puppy? The answer is “Nothing.” The same is true of a pre-born child.

But the Bible says all human life is sacred and has dignity—and the reason is because God has implanted His image (i.e., a soul) within every one of us. Furthermore, the Bible says He did this long before we were born—not afterward, nor at birth. God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5). The psalmist declared, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).

There is much we don’t know about how God works in these matters—but we must never forget that God gave life to us, and only He has the right to take it away.

But the larger question is this: What has happened to the soul God gave you? Have you nurtured it—or have you ignored it and starved it? Don’t let this happen, but open your heart to Christ and discover the joy of His presence every day.