The Hedge
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”- John 15-5
The first line of defense in the Hedge is a relationship with Jesus and a connection to a body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 5:17 tells us “Therefore, anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” The first step to a new life is to commit yourself to Jesus Christ and leave your old life behind.
“Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory.”- Proverbs 11:14
The second line of defense in the Hedge is Godly counsel and instruction. Proverbs 28:26 says, “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” A vital part of changing old thoughts, behavior, and habits means learning that our own minds and understanding need to be retrained to recognize destructive patterns and approach life armed with Godly wisdom and instruction. Proverbs again advises us to “Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her for she is your life” — our very life depends on the counsel and instruction of godly mentorship.
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”- Proverbs 12:26
The third line of defense in the Hedge is the connection and counsel of new friends. New friendships allow us to sharpen one another, “as iron sharpens iron”, and hold one another accountable. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Having friends that understand your struggles but are willing to help and encourage you when you fail is a treasure. Trying to begin a new life with old friends won’t work — “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33), however, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). We must learn to love and pray for those in the lifestyle left behind, but recognize that in our choice to pursue sobriety, new friendships must replace ones detrimental to our growth.
“Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 2:1-5
The Hedge depends on the unity of ourselves with Christ, Godly wisdom and instruction, and the support and encouragement of like-minded relationships. Learning to submit our will to Christ as our head, receive wisdom from biblical principles through Godly mentorship, and surrounding ourselves with those who share the same goal and are committed to supporting us will create a hedge of prayer and protection around our present and future selves. If we are connected to The Vine, the branches of the hedge will surround us and uphold us throughout our recovery journey.
From The Hedge To The Hedge House
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
Ezekiel 22:30 says that God “looked for a man who would make up the hedge and stand in the gap before [Him] for the land”, but He found no one. We at Hedge House believe that God is still searching for those who are willing to build up the hedge and stand in the gap before Him, and that He is calling for us to step into roles to intercede and act on behalf of those who are in need.
Isaiah 59:16 tells us that God “saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor, therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained him.”
Jesus came as a mediator between God and mankind; He became our intercessor on the cross. He gave his life for our salvation, and that salvation has been purchased for every person. As the body of Christ, it is our job to introduce people to the Cross. We begin in faith and prayer, but we are led to work. Our actions are the result of prayer.
James chapter 2:14-18 says “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
The world is hurting, and reacting from that hurt, and we at Hedge House believe that it is our God-ordained responsibility to meet the physical needs of the hurting as we show them the love, grace, and mercy of Christ that will ultimately meet their emotional needs and provide healing and wholeness. Jesus shed His blood on the cross for the salvation of the world, but He is still searching for someone willing to take up that cross and imitate him by laying aside our selves for others. Jesus and the body of Christ—the Church, must be joined in perfect union for the Gospel message to be achieved. What begins in faith and prayer must always end in works.
