Why did Saul of Tarsus deserve judgment but receive grace?
Saul of Tarsus deserved judgment because he persecuted Christ and was engaged in hostile work, yet God showed him mercy. He was not repenting or seeking God; the Lord intervened on the Damascus road, knocked him off his horse, and spoke to him. His salvation was wholly grace, not human effort.
Les explains that Paul is the epitome of a sinner saved by grace. Saul of Tarsus had every right in the world to be zapped and done with because of his persecution, but he did not come to himself, repent, and ask God to accept him. Instead, while on his way into Damascus to carry out his dirty work, God knocked him off his horse and spoke: 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?' Les calls that grace. Believers are in the same category with Paul: vessels of mercy who deserve nothing, saved by mercy poured out at the cross and appropriated by faith, without doing anything on their part. This has always been the way.