⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 3 min read
The Gospel, Identity, and New Life in Christ
Author: Dave Jenkins Show: Contending for the Word Q&A Date: June 1, 2026Show Summary
In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins addresses the issue of identity, repentance, sexuality, and the authority of God’s Word.This episode explains the difference between temptation, behavior, and identity while emphasizing that the believer’s identity is rooted in union with Christ rather than sinful desires.Drawing from 1 Corinthians 6, Romans 6, Genesis 1–2, Matthew 19, and Ephesians 5, Dave explains God’s design for marriage, the transforming power of the gospel, and why Christians must speak truth with compassion and biblical clarity.Audio Player
Video Player
Key Scriptures
- 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
- Romans 6:1–2
- Genesis 1–2
- Matthew 19
- Ephesians 5:22–33
- Ephesians 4:15
Episode Highlights
- The difference between temptation, behavior, and identity
- Why Christian identity is rooted in union with Christ
- The role of repentance in the Christian life
- God’s design for marriage and sexuality
- Why truth and compassion must remain together
- The transforming power of the gospel
Full Episode
Some Christians today identify as gay Christians. Others insist that phrase is impossible. So which is it? Is it simply a debate about language, or does it reveal something deeper about identity, repentance, and the authority of the Word of God?In this episode, Dave Jenkins carefully examines what Scripture teaches about temptation, identity, repentance, and union with Christ. He explains why believers are ultimately defined not by sinful desires but by their relationship to Jesus Christ.This episode also explores God’s design for marriage from Genesis, the New Testament teaching on sanctification, and the importance of speaking truth with compassion in difficult cultural conversations.The gospel does not merely forgive sinners. In Christ, sinners are made new.Reflection Questions
- How does Scripture define a believer’s identity?
- Why is repentance essential in the Christian life?
- How can Christians speak truth with both clarity and compassion?
- Why does God’s design for marriage matter biblically and theologically?
Related Resources
- The War of the Worldviews by Dave Jenkins
- Articles on biblical worldview and discernment at Servants of Grace
- Additional episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A
Call to Action
Thank you for listening to Contending for the Word Q&A. Subscribe on YouTube, SermonAudio, and your favorite podcast platform. Visit Servants of Grace for additional biblical resources, articles, and podcasts designed to help you grow in God’s Word and stand firm in His truth.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
