Renegade Grace

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...

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-sufficienc...

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 C...

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’l...

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...

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...

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 tran...