If free will is important, why doesn’t God let us choose whether or not to be born? 1. Understanding the Nature of Free Will Free will involves the capacity to make meaningful choices. It is typically discussed in the context of moral decisions and our response to the divine invitation into a relationship. The question of choosing whether to be born presupposes our existence beforehand, but Scripture does not teach that we exist prior to our conception (cf. Psalm 139:13–16). Consequently, the notion of selecting one’s own birth does not align with the biblical view of how life and personhood begin. Additionally, free will pertains to the range of conscious moral decisions we make as created beings. Our existence itself is a gift, overseen by God’s purposeful design (Acts 17:25–26). This design ensures that we enter the world at a specific time and place without any pre-life standpoint from which we could make that choice. Rather than hindering free will, this affirms that human choice operates within the boundaries set by the Creator, who ordains the beginning and end of every life. 2. God as the Author of Life Scripture portrays God as the ultimate source of life and the One who knits each person in the womb. According to Psalm 139:13, “For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” This imagery highlights that human life is an intentional act of God’s creative power, not merely a chance occurrence. In Jeremiah 1:5, God declares, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; and before you were born I set you apart.” While this verse primarily illustrates God’s foreknowledge and purpose for an individual, it also underscores that the act of bringing each person into existence is entirely within God’s sovereign will. We do not precede our own formation, so there is no vantage point from which we could “opt in” or “opt out” of existence. 3. The Purposeful Design of Existence From the intricacies of cellular biology to the finely tuned constants of the universe, a wealth of scientific data indicates that existence itself is not random. This idea arises in discussions of the anthropic principle, which observes that the conditions necessary for life on earth are balanced with astonishing precision. Such findings support the concept that life is orchestrated by a purposeful intelligence rather than an impersonal process. Various geological and archaeological discoveries, such as the fossil record and the complexity observed in sedimentary layers, have also been interpreted by many to point toward a designed and ordered universe. These perspectives are consistent with the scriptural teaching that the world—and every life in it—results from specific creative acts rather than blind chance. Thus, each birth aligns with this overarching purpose and plan. 4. The Biblical Context of Human Choice While we cannot choose our birth, Scripture clearly portrays many critical ways in which free will operates. Adam and Eve’s decision in Eden (Genesis 3) exemplifies the human power to choose obedience or disobedience. Similarly, each individual faces a choice regarding trust in God’s revealed truths (John 3:16–19). Once life is given as a divine gift, our freedom emerges in how we respond to moral and spiritual realities. Ephesians 1:4–5 teaches that God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world… In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons…” This highlights God’s sovereignty in salvation while recognizing the reality of human response (Romans 10:9–10). The act of being born is not a matter of our volition; however, our decisions once we exist are indeed real choices with profound eternal significance. 5. Aligning God’s Sovereignty and Human Will One of the consistent themes in Scripture is the interplay between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. Acts 17:26–27 notes that God determines the seasons and boundaries of our dwelling. Yet in that very context, people are urged to seek Him and “perhaps reach out for Him and find Him.” This twofold view—that God ordains our place and time, yet commands us to respond—demonstrates that free will is not nullified by God’s sovereign design; instead, it operates within parameters that God alone establishes. The question of choosing one’s birth runs contrary to the biblical viewpoint that our existence is wholly dependent on God. Rather than limiting freedom, it emphasizes that free will begins after life is graciously bestowed, enabling us to make meaningful moral and spiritual decisions. 6. The Value of Life as a Divine Gift Every human is created with intrinsic worth. Isaiah 44:2 says, “This is what the LORD says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb and who will help you.” From these verses, it becomes apparent that life is not a random accident but a sacred endowment. That sacredness includes the time and manner of one’s entrance into the world. Moreover, these truths encourage hope that God’s plan is wise and purposeful (Isaiah 55:8–9). If we were able to choose our own birth, it would imply a preexistent state in which we have knowledge of all future possibilities. Such an idea finds no support in the biblical text and would diminish the grandeur of God’s creative authority. Instead, Scripture declares that all persons owe their beginning to His will. 7. Philosophical and Theological Reflections The freedom to choose is a hallmark of moral responsibility, but philosophical reflection shows that choosing to exist would be paradoxical. One cannot exercise individual will before one possesses a mind, body, or being in the first place. Furthermore, in theological terms, the gift of existence underscores that life is bestowed without merit or request. This gift, once given, opens the door for moral decisions that shape an individual’s eternal destiny (John 5:24). The teachings about salvation insist that our ultimate spiritual choice—whether to accept or reject divine grace—lies at the heart of why free will matters. 8. Personal Implications and Encouragement While we do not choose the circumstances of our birth, the love and purpose embedded in our existence remain evident. Recognizing that life is a deliberate, God-ordained reality can inspire gratitude and reverence. With each new life comes God’s invitation: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). This invitation affirms that the most significant choice we face is our response to the One who gave us life. As we grow, learn, and make decisions, our free will becomes an instrument for reflecting divine glory. The possibility of redemption and relationship with God exemplifies the highest and most fulfilling use of our freedom. 9. Conclusion Ultimately, the fact that we do not choose to be born does not negate or diminish the importance of free will. Rather, it highlights God’s sovereign authorship over life and His gracious bestowal of existence. Human free will operates once we have life—choice emerges in how we respond to moral questions, how we interact with others, and, most crucially, how we respond to the message of redemption found in Scripture. By rooting our understanding in biblical teaching and recognizing that existence itself is the starting point of our moral journey, we see that our role is to live out loving obedience, seek truth, and choose goodness in a world that God has purposefully created. This interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency gives each person both responsibility and hope. Our freedom is neither negated nor lessened by God’s sole authority to grant life; rather, it is magnified through the eternal significance of our choices once life is given. |