Predestination is a quite difficult topic. I believe it is true for God said it concerning our sonship (not only concerning our free will):

Eph 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:
Eph 1:5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

He chose us in that sense that he knew from the foundation of the world who will belong to him later on. And those who would accept him later, those he chose already in advance. It's not a completely logical but divine principle. As we cannot completely explain the Trinity, so we cannot wholly understand the predestination.

Mat 11:27 neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

This passage combines the predestination (v27) and the responsibilty for anyone (v28). No one is allowed to say, I am not predestinated thus it's no use to be saved. All that accept their miserable condition in the sight of God are invited, ALL. The same we find on the Bible's last page:

Rev 22:17 And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.

Man has a free choice. He can deny salvation, he can accept it. As true as predestination is God's part, that true repentance is man's responsibility.


One example helped me to understand it a little: There is a big house, and above the door you can read from outside: "Come all ye weary - I will give you rest". It's only your choice to enter in. But once you're inside, you can read on the walls: "Predestinated from foundation of the world", which only God knew before, and which had no affect on my responsibility.

~ Little Tree ~