Paul knew Grace

"Who, who...are you...?"

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9:1-6

Saul goes from persecutor to persecuted.  The radical grace of God saves and transforms the hardest of hearts.

Lessons from Saul's Conversion

1. Hold out hope for everyone
      a) Even those who are hostile to the gospel  message
      b) Do not count out brilliant, highly educated, leaders
      c) God interrupts Saul’s rebellion

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, - Colossians 1:21

Grace is shown in Jesus’ sacrificial death for sinners. He laid down his life for those who he loved while they were taking his life.