Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed) by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful believers in Christ [who are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father. Colossians 1:1-2 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The book of Colossians is written by Paul, along with his fellow worker in the gospel, Timothy. But who is Paul, and what is his backstory? We often elevate him as a hero because he was appointed as an apostle of Jesus and is one of the most significant figures in the history of the Christian faith. However, before his transformation, Paul’s heart was hardened and cold in many ways. He despised Christians and everything they stood for due to their belief and faith in Jesus.

Before encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9) and long before the letter to the Colossians was written, Paul was involved in some terrible actions.

In Acts 9, while Paul is on his way to persecute Christians, the risen Christ graciously interrupts Paul’s plans for harm and converts him. A light from heaven shone all around Paul, and Jesus begins speaking to Paul (who was then called Saul) saying: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”. Saul responds, “Who are you, Lord?” and Jesus replies: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. Saul wasn’t just persecuting the body of Christ (the church); he was persecuting its Head—Jesus Himself! (Col. 1:18).

Paul doesn’t hesitate to listen to Jesus, but as he gets up, he cannot see anything. For three days he remained blind, but his sight eventually recovered. Can you imagine? Being on your way to kill Jesus’s people, assuming their claims of His resurrection to be a lie, only to meet Jesus face-to-face with heaven’s glory all around you, bringing you to your knees? Surely the Lord should have taken Paul out, right? But in His grace, He doesn’t. Instead, He says this: “[Paul] is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15–16).

So, what do we learn from Paul’s backstory? We learn that the chiefest of sinners can be converted into a chosen instrument of Jesus. That God can change anyone.

All through Colossians, we will see this changed Paul echoing the themes of his conversion, the ones that left a mark on him forever: Jesus is the highest and best. The alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end (Rev. 21:6; 22:13). Jesus is the center and focal point of everything in all of creation. And He’s not these things just for today—He is and will be these things forever. All of history is moving toward the day when, in the end the entire created universe will bring glory to Him and dwell with God forever (Rev. 21:1–7). Given all this, it’s clear: Jesus alone is worthy of all of our worship, and receiving Jesus always results in a life that walks in Him afterward.

Our greatest reason for gratitude is the cross. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. Through His life, death, and resurrection, we’re offered forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life.