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: jess@renegadegrace.com

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: jess@renegadegrace.com

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?

Send Jess a text

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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: jess@renegadegrace.com

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

Support the show