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: jess@renegadegrace.com

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: jess@renegadegrace.com

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?

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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: jess@renegadegrace.com

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?

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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: jess@renegadegrace.com

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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