I happen to be one of the most selfish people I have ever met. I know that—and so does my sister. She remembers every ridiculous thing I have done. Even better, she tells the incredibly embarrassing (but completely true) stories to people we meet for the first time.

So, as my sister told stories from the not-so-distant past to my cousin’s girlfriend recently, all I wanted to do was justify myself—or, even better, lie and say it didn’t happen. I wanted to save face. I wanted her to think that I was actually a good person.

So as I sat there, mortified at my selfishness and embarrassed by her willingness to share my most unpleasant moments, I just owned up to it. It was completely true, and what a better way to introduce myself than to admit that I have serious flaws.

And I reminded myself of these verses:
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:6-11

I no longer have to deny my embarrassing flaws. I get to rejoice in the fact that my flaws have been exchanged for Christ’s perfection.