Thanks.
I would also like to say that I do not see Paul's Damascus Road experience as you do. I would not say that Jesus Christ "forced" Himself upon Paul. I would say that Jesus revealed Himself in full majesty to Paul there; that on this road Paul encountered the Living Christ
What was Saul doing on that road to Damascus??? Was Saul on that road seeking God???
NO! Saul of Tarsus had a bill of indictment in his satchel, with the authority of the high priest and Sanhedrin to go to Damascus to arrest Jews who were Christians with the intent of wiping out the Christian church there, as Saul of Tarsus had been responsible for the persecution and killing of a great number of Christians, and Saul of Tarsus did it with zeal. Saul of Tarsus was not seeking God, Saul of Tarsus did not ask Jesus to "come into his life", Saul of Tarsus did not give Jesus "permission to come into his life".
No, as Paul said, he was an enemy of God at that time, and was stuck down by Christ. Christ was not invited, Christ was not given permission to strike Saul down. Saul of Tarsus did not ask to be struck blind and converted. As a matter of fact, Christ struck Saul of Tarsus down AGAINST his will, for Saul's will was to go to Damascus to persecute Christ and His people. But the Will of Christ was overpowering, having chosen Saul to become Paul since before the foundation of the cosmos, and Saul of Tarsus did not grant permission for any of it, Christ DID IT, according to His Purpose and His Will.
And that is what I mean when I say that Christ forced Himself upon Saul of Tarsus, who was given the new name, as all the regenerated of God are given a new name.
With all due respect, this is historically false. The Sanhedrin had no authority in Damascus. It would be no different that saying he was sent to Rome to arrest Christian Jews there and bring them to trial in Israel.
That one act alone should convince us that God comes to us and shakes us to our very core, removes the scales from our eyes and gives us a completely new heart with which to understand.
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." -- 1 Timothy 1:12-16"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;