Acts 26: 17-18
I like the ESV translation here, i.e. "...so that they may turn from darkness to light...that they may receive forgiveness of sins..."
The "may" underscores the idea that there is a choice and it must be made of one's own volition. I think that's a point that militant evangelists are loathe to concede: that you can lead the horse to water, but you can't force it to drink. God gives us a choice to make, he never forces anyone to pick it. Our obedience, like Paul's here, is measured by whether we do the leading. God didn't say, "Thou shalt, under threat of Hellfire, shoot 64% on conversion attempts in Damascus, 66% in Jerusalem and 68% in Judea..."
Acts 26:14
It's interesting to me that, Pauls persecution of Jesus leads Jesus to be concerned for Paul's welfare!
From the ESRV: Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads
Also, it's pretty radical how much Paul changes; basically becoming the poster boy of the type of Christians he persecuted as a Pharisee... He must've been a pretty passionate guy.
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