The evangelical church is home to many who claim to follow Christ but
who show little evidence of a truly transformed life. Todd Wilson's
Real Christian: Bearing the Marks of Authentic Faith biblically
defines what it means to be a true Christian, calling readers to look at
their own lives and diagnose where they aren't living authentically for
God. With a prophetic voice, Wilson looks at how we deceive ourselves
into thinking we are really living for God through believing the right
things or doing lots of spiritual activities. In contrast, real
Christians are marked by five key qualities: broken-hearted joy, a
humble disposition, a readiness to acknowledge sin, an ability to live
balanced and avoid legalism, and a deep spiritual hunger that drives
growth. All of these qualities culminate in the single defining mark of
a real Christian--love.
To help in distinguishing genuine faith from counterfeit spirituality,
Wilson draws upon the gospels, the writings of Paul, and the insights of
theologian Jonathan Edwards to help readers understand the necessary
marks of an authentic, transformed life, marks that show evidence of a
new heart and bear spiritual fruit through the work of the Holy Spirit.