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?

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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: 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?

Send Jess a text

Support the show