What if the greatest obstacle to godliness isn't a lack of effort—but a misunderstanding of who you are? In this episode, Jess explores why so many believers feel trapped in cycles of striving, self-improvement, and never feeling good enough. Through Scripture, personal stories, and a fresh look at grace, discover why goodness is not something you manufacture but something Christ produces in you. If you've ever wondered how grace actually changes everyday life, this episode is for you.

Show Notes:

Link to Jess’s Books: CLICK HERE

Instagram: @renegadepastor

Email: [email protected]

Website: renegadegrace.com 

Verses Referenced in Today’s Episode: 2 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 3:4–6; Ephesians 1:3–8; Ephesians 1:11–14; Ephesians 2:4–10; Ephesians 2:13; Ephesians 3:16–19; Ephesians 3:20–21; Ephesians 4:22–24; Ephesians 5:1–2; Ephesians 5:8; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 8:32; James 1:17; Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12; 1 Peter 4:10; Galatians 5:19–23; Matthew 7:17–18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 2:12–13; Isaiah 64:6; Titus 2:11–12; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:2–3; Colossians 3:9–10; 2 Peter 1:9–10; James 1:23–25; 2 Corinthians 12:9

 Listener Reflection Questions:

• Where do you most often feel like you're not enough?
• Have you been living from grace or from self-improvement?
• What would change if you truly believed Christ's goodness lives in you?
• Are there places where you've confused works with fruit?
• What truth about your identity do you need to remember this week?

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In this episode of Renegade Grace, Jess tackles one of the oldest lies humanity has ever believed: "You can do it on your own." From the Garden of Eden to modern Christianity, the temptation has remained the same— independence from God dressed up as maturity, discipline, and spiritual effort.

Together, we'll explore:

• Why the original temptation wasn't evil, but self-sufficiency 
• How we've turned faith into another form of work 
• The subtle ways Christians create "Law 2.0" and mix Jesus with self-effort 
• Why dependence on Christ is meant to be the source of our action, not the backup plan when our strength runs out 
• What it means to truly live "just as you received Christ" 

If you've ever felt exhausted trying to be a better Christian, wondering whether you're doing enough, believing enough, praying enough, or striving enough then this episode is for you.

Because the gospel doesn't begin where your strength ends.

It begins where Christ's life begins.

And maybe the most powerful prayer you'll ever pray is this:

"God, I can't. You can. I'm going to let You."

Show Notes:

Link to Jess’s Books: CLICK HERE

Instagram: @renegadepastor

Email: [email protected]

Website: renegadegrace.com 

Verses Referenced in Today’s Episode: Colossians 2:6–7; Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:17; Zechariah 7:11; Romans 7:6; John 17:22; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 1:8–10; Hebrews 10:3; Romans 7:7–13; Romans 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:56–57; Romans 8:4; Hebrews 8:13; James 2:10; Galatians 3:10; Galatians 5:3; 2 Corinthians 3:7; Colossians 3:23–24; Ephesians 1:3; Matthew 22:37–40; Romans 11:17-18; Colossians 3:2–3; John 13:34; 1 John 3:23; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 11:28–30; 1 John 5:3.

Greek Words: Phroneó (5426)

Listener Reflection Questions:

• In what areas of your life do you struggle most with self-reliance?
• Do you see faith more as receiving from God or achieving something for God?
•  Have you added any version of "Law 2.0" to your walk with Christ?
• What would it look like for dependence on Christ to be your starting point instead of your backup plan?
• How does the truth that Christ lives in you change the way you approach your daily challenges?

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Have you ever felt like God was distant? Like your sin created space between you and Him or that you had to work your way back into His presence?

What if that’s not actually true?

In this episode of Renegade Grace, Jess takes on one of the most deeply ingrained beliefs in modern Christianity—that our connection with God can be disrupted—and unpacks the truth about God’s nearness, our union with Christ, and the myth of “damaged fellowship.” 

You’ll discover:

• Why the original lie in the garden was about God being distant and withholding 
• How we’ve misunderstood God’s sovereignty and turned it into something cold and impersonal 
• What it really means to be fully united with Christ—not just close to Him 
• Why your relationship with God isn’t something you maintain—but something He secured 
• And how to understand the “but what about…” verses that seem to suggest distance 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly trying to get closer to God—or worried that your mistakes have pushed Him away—this episode will challenge that belief and invite you into a deeper awareness of what’s already true.

Because the truth is— you’re not trying to get closer to God… you already are one with Him.

Show Notes:

Link to Jess’s Books: CLICK HERE

Instagram: @renegadepastor

Email: [email protected]

Website: renegadegrace.com 

Verses Referenced in Today’s Episode: Colossians 1:15–20; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 14:18–20; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 6:17; John 17:20–23; Colossians 3:3–4; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:6; Colossians 1:13–14; 2 Corinthians 4:6–7; Ephesians 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:13; Isaiah 59:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 1:21–22; Psalm 51:11; Ephesians 1:13–14; John 14:16–17; James 4:8; Exodus 20:18–21; John 14:23

Greek Words: Sumphutos (Strong’s 4854); Eudokeó (Strong’s 2106)

Listener Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever felt like God pulled away from you? What shaped that belief?
•  How does the idea of being united with Christ (not just close to Him) challenge or change how you see your relationship with God?
• Have you believed your sin creates distance between you and God? How does this episode challenge that? 
• What might change this week if you lived with the awareness that you are already one with Him?

Send Jess a text

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Have we reduced the gospel to something smaller than what Jesus actually accomplished?

Most of us were taught that the cross is about forgiveness—and it is.

But what if forgiveness is only part of the story?

In this episode of Renegade Grace, Jess dives into what it really means to have new life and a new nature in Christ—and why the gospel is far bigger than just having your sins forgiven.

You’ll discover:

• Why the real problem wasn’t just sin—but death
• How Jesus didn’t just forgive you… He made you alive
• What it means to be a new creation with a new nature
• Why the popular phrase “die to self” misses the point of the cross
• And how living like a “sinner” might actually be the thing keeping you stuck

If you’ve ever felt forgiven but still struggled to feel free, this episode will challenge what you’ve believed about yourself—and invite you into a completely new way of living.

Because the truth is you’re not just forgiven… you’ve been made new.

Show Notes:

Link to Jess’s Books: CLICK HERE

Instagram: @renegadepastor

Email: [email protected]

Website: renegadegrace.com 

Verses Referenced in Today’s Episode: Romans 5:12–18; Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:5; Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 5:14–15; Romans 6:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 10:14; 1 Corinthians 15:31–32; Luke 9:23; Mark 8:34; Matthew 16:24; Galatians 4:6; Romans 6:17; Hebrews 10:16; 2 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:20–22; Matthew 5:48; Galatians 3:10; James 2:10; Philippians 3:8–9; Romans 6:18; 1 John 4:17; Romans 6:8–11; Romans 6:6; Colossians 1:13–14; Galatians 5:19–23; Romans 8:5–8; Romans 12:2; Romans 8:9; Colossians 1:21–22; Colossians 2:23; Colossians 3:12

Greek Words: Koinónos (Strong’s 2844); Phusis (Strong’s 5449); Dikaios (Strong’s 1342)

Listener Reflection Questions:

• Have you been thinking of the gospel primarily as forgiveness, or as new life? What’s the difference for you?
• Where do you still see yourself as a “sinner trying to do better” instead of someone who has been made new?
• What feels hardest to believe—that you are forgiven, or that you are fundamentally changed? Why?
• What might change this week if you truly lived from your new nature instead of striving to earn it?

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Most Christians believe Jesus forgave their sins… but aren’t quite sure how finished that forgiveness really is.

Is forgiveness something we receive once or something we have to maintain through confession and effort?
 Are our sins covered or completely removed?
 And what does it actually mean to be forgiven?

In this episode of Renegade Grace, Jess unpacks one of the most misunderstood topics in modern Christianity: finished forgiveness.

You’ll discover:

• Why forgiveness in Scripture means pardon, not probation 
• How the cross didn’t start forgiveness—it completed it 
• Why confession isn’t payment for sin (and never was) 
• The difference between sins being covered vs. taken away 
• How to understand the “but what about…” verses without fear or confusion 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly trying to stay forgiven, this episode will challenge that belief and invite you into a freedom that is already yours.

Because the truth is—  you’re not on probation with God. You’ve been fully pardoned.

Show Notes:

Link to Jess’s Books: CLICK HERE

Instagram: @renegadepastor

Email: [email protected]

Website: renegadegrace.com 

Verses Referenced in Today’s Episode: Colossians 2:13; Hebrews 10:17–18; Hebrews 8:12; Jeremiah 31:34; Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 10:12; Romans 6:10; 1 Corinthians 15:56; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 9:26; John 1:29; Colossians 2:14–15; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 4:16; John 15:1–6; Romans 11:17–24; 1 John 4:13; 1 John 4:15; Matthew 7:21–23; 1 Corinthians 8:3; Galatians 4:9; 1 John 1:7–10; Colossians 1:13–14; 1 Peter 1:18–19; John 6:28–29; 2 Peter 1:4

Greek/Hebrew Words: Metánoia (Strongs 3341); Charizomai (Strongs 5483); Aphesis (Strongs 859); Athetésis (Strongs 115); Kaphar (Strongs 3722)

Listener Reflection Questions

• In what ways am I living my life like I’m on parole?
• Where do I treat forgiveness like it’s on a payment plan rather than free & finished?
• When I sin, do I run to God in confidence or hide in fear?
• What would change if gratitude replaced anxiety in my prayers? 

Send Jess a text

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What does it mean to be a “New Covenant Christian”? What even is a covenant and does God expect believers to keep the Ten Commandments?

In Episode 2 of Renegade Grace, Jess kicks off the Relearning the Gospel series by unpacking the difference between the Old Covenant (Law) and the New Covenant (Grace). You’ll learn why biblical covenants are more like blood-signed contracts than casual promises, why the Law was an all-or-nothing deal made specifically with Israel, and why trying to cherry-pick commandments is a breach of contract with a deadly price tag.

Then Jess zooms in on the good news: the New Covenant is better, because it’s not secured by your performance; it’s secured by Jesus’ perfection, signed at the cross and sealed by the Spirit. Along the way, she tackles why not everything Jesus said pre-cross functions as direct instruction for post-cross believers, and why reading Scripture through “grace-tinted lenses” changes everything.

Buckle up, buttercup—this episode will reframe how you read the Bible and how you relate to God.

Show Notes:

Link to Jess’s Books: CLICK HERE

Instagram: @renegadepastor

Email: [email protected]

Website: renegadegrace.com 

Verses Referenced in Today’s Episode: 2 Chronicles 15:1–2; James 2:10; Galatians 3:10; Galatians 5:3; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22; Leviticus 16 (conceptually); Jeremiah 31:31–32; Luke 22:20; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 5–7 (conceptually); Hebrews 6:13–20; Hebrews 7:25–28; Hebrews 8:6–13; Hebrews 9:15–18; Hebrews 10:14; Colossians 1:26–27; Ephesians 1:4; Romans 3:20

Listener Reflection Questions:

• What challenged you most about the Law being an all-or-nothing covenant?
• What does it mean to you that the New Covenant is secured by Jesus not you?
• Have you been mixing grace and performance in your faith? What does that look like?
• What might change this week if you fully lived from a New Covenant mindset?
• What’s one belief about God or yourself that you might need to rethink after this episode?

Send Jess a text

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What is renegade grace — and why does it matter?

In this first episode, Jess Hays introduces the heart behind the Renegade Grace Podcast and the theology that fuels it. Drawing from her own story, Scripture, and New Covenant theology, Jess unpacks the difference between law-based religion and grace-based living, exposing how performance-driven Christianity distorts the gospel and hinders real transformation.

Show Notes:

Link to Jess’s Books: CLICK HERE

Website: renegadegrace.com

Instagram: @renegadepastor

Email: [email protected]

Verses Referenced in Today’s Episode: Romans 8:4, Titus 2:11-12, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Luke 2:52, Genesis 3:1-7, Hebrews 10:3, Colossians 2:6, Romans 7, 1 Corinthians 15:56-57  

Send Jess a text

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