Also by this author: Reclaiming Masculinity: Seven Biblical Principles for Being the Man God Wants You to Be
on January 2020
Genres: Non-Fiction, Christian Life
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Make your life count. Quit faking. Express the real you. Live free from regrets. Find friends who are like family. Stop fearing the opinion of others. Be happy. Laugh often.
What's the secret to a life like that? Our culture says that it's this: be true to yourself.
And that's right. Sort of.This book shows you how to be true to the real you. It invites you to listen to the voice of your Creator to discover who you are and how to be happy. And it reveals Jesus' counter intuitive but altogether more satisfying vision of a life well lived.
In this book, British pastor Matt Fuller explores what it means to “Be True to Yourself.” He explains that even though people sometimes use this phrase to applaud integrity, those who resist peer pressure and temptation are living in alignment with an objective moral standard, not just their own values. If we want to praise people merely for being themselves, we would have to cheer on cheaters and murderers who are living out their deepest desires and values. Fuller argues that this popular, often contradictory phrase really begs the question, “Who am I?” How do you pick the version of yourself to be true to?
In response to this question, Fuller explains that we are fallen image-bearers of a glorious God, not gods within ourselves. We cannot trust our own urges to lead us to truth or happiness, but when we experience redemption and find our identity in Christ, we are free from “the gospel of self-esteem” and “the gospel of self-creation” and can rest in who God says that we are. After Fuller lays this foundation, he explores the implications that our identity in Christ has on our gender identities, sexual behavior, life in church community, and engagement online. He writes about these issues with great pastoral sensitivity, and presents biblical truth in a way that is clear and does not invite offense.
Be True to Yourself is full of timeless truths and current applications for our cultural moment. As a single person, I especially appreciated the chapter on friendships within the church, and I am thankful for Fuller’s efforts to keep the book relevant to all Christians, regardless of their sexual backgrounds or marital status. This book is accessible and practical for both believers and skeptics, and provides a clear, inspiring picture of how identity in Christ changes everything.
