The wonderful Words of Life which Yahweh gave to man for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, so he may be found perfect and a doer of good works – therein lies the division between those who have ears to hear and a willing heart to obey, and those who despise the Light of Truth.
   Yahshua said, Verily, verily, I say to you, “He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that enters in by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep. To him the Porter opens; and the sheep hear His voice: and He calls His own sheep by name, and leads them out,” John 10:1-3.

From Tares and Goats to Wheat and Sheep
   Whether they are the tares among the wheat, or the goats among the sheep, there are those who profess to believe but lack the discipline to conform to a life of obedience. For example: the eating of pig, catfish, rabbit, and other unclean animals is a favorite, even though Scripture calls it an abomination; or curse words spoken, proceeding from an uncircumcised tongue. However, in times past, we, too, have been counted among the gentiles, uncircumcised and without Messiah. But now in Messiah Yahshua you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah, Ephesians 2:13.
   Regardless of how rough one may appear, Yahweh’s Word is able to transform, cleanse, and renew the most vile soul. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read, Therefore if any man [be] in Messiah, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
   To be in Messiah is more than a mere profession of faith – it extends to choices made and deeds done. For even hereunto were you called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him That judges righteously, 1 Peter 2:21-23.

Sin and Yahweh’s Standard Defined
   When speaking of sin, it is sad to say that many do not know its Scriptural definition. For one person’s “standard” will differ from that of another. It is because people have been taught Yahweh’s Law has been done away with, that there is no standard. But, Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law, 1 John 3:4. Indeed, people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge, and because they have rejected knowledge, Yahweh will also reject them (Hos. 4:6).
   Speaking of the standard – the Prophet Isaiah wrote, To the Law and to the Testimony: if they speak not according to This Word, it is because there is no Light in them, Isaiah 8:20. They which listen to false teachers, believing they will not be led astray, need to be aware that Satan himself is able to appear as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works, 2 Corinthians 11:15.
   Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept [must be] upon precept, and line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little, Isaiah 28:9-10. For every one that uses milk [is] unskillful in the Word of Righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil, Hebrews 5:13-14.

Yahshua: The Living Word, the Bread of Life
   When Yahshua was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He said to the tempter, It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word That proceeds out of the mouth of Elohim,” Matthew 4:4. It is Yahweh’s Word which gives Life. Yahshua was the Living Word of Yahweh, that is, the Word of Yahweh made flesh (John 1:1-5, 14).
   His Word is everlasting – Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that you] love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of Yahweh, Which lives and abides forever, 1 Peter 1:22-23.
   It is not man’s doctrine or commentary that has power – no matter how well spoken – nor the traditions of men, if contrary to Yahweh’s Word. Both scribe and Pharisee boasted themselves seated in Moses’ seat (Matt. 23:2), though they themselves transgressed the Commandment of Yahweh, making It of none effect by their tradition of teaching for doctrine the commandments of men (Matt. 15:3, 6, 9).
   May we not be found as babes, relying upon the milk of the Word but rather, may we be found skillful, able to use the Sword of the Spirit (Yahweh’s Word) when we find temptation knocking at the door. May we be able to explain to a listening soul the faith that is in us with Scripture (1 Pet. 3:15; Col. 4:6). Your Words were found, and I did eat them; and Your Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by Your Name, O Yahweh Elohim of hosts, Jeremiah 15:16.

Conclusion
   Has Yahweh’s Word become the joy and rejoicing of your heart? If not, why not? Sabbath observance, sundown Friday through Saturday (Exodus 20:8-11); Yahweh’s annual festival day observance (Leviticus 23); dietary observance of clean food (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14). Do you use the Sacred Names, Yahweh and Yahshua, or follow the traditions of men, using replacement titles of “L-rd,” G-d,” or the hybrid, “J-hovah,” and “J-sus?”
   Thus speaks Yahweh of hosts, saying “Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother: and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hear, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the Law, and the Words which Yahweh of hosts has sent in His Spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from Yahweh of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear” says Yahweh of hosts, Zechariah 7:9-13.
   But your iniquities have separated between you and your Elohim and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear, Isaiah 59:2. Has sin (the transgressions of the Law) separated you from Yahweh?
   Seek you Yahweh while He may be found, call you upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto Yahweh, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our Elohim, for He will abundantly pardon, Isaiah 55:6-7.