Are we predestined to heaven or hell?

Question:

Does God predestine people to heaven and to hell?

Answer:

When I am told (by those who confuse predestination with God's providence)that God already knows who will be saved and who will be damned, and therefore anything we do is useless. I usually answer with four truths that the bible spells out for us:

1) God wants everyone to be saved (see 1 Tim 2:3-4).

2) No one is predestined to go to hell except for the devil and his angels (see Mat 25:41).

3) Jesus died for everyone (see John 3:16).

4) Everyone is given sufficient graces for salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:9).

In Genesis chapter 4 we read the story of Cain (the first murderer) and Abel. He had

the free will not to commit murder (read verses 1-7), but he did not cooperate with Gods grace to resist. We are all called to cooperate with Gods grace (see 1 Cor 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). Also read paragraph 600 in the Catechism, it gives a brief definition of the Catholic understanding of predestination. It basically states that in God's eternal plan of predestination, he also includes each persons free response to his grace.