A hundred evil deeds saved by one fear - Ecclesiastes 7-8

"Altough a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life; still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly. But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God." (8:13-14)

The Fear of the Lord, as we know from Proverbs, is the beginning of wisdom. It should be noted in these two verses that is is also the gateway to eternal life despite the sin we do each day. Those who fear the Lord are nothing more than those who don't in regard to sin. Those who fear the Lord are also sinners and they sin hundreds of times (7:20). But, it is the fear of the Lord that allows us to be resecued from that sin because the fear of the Lord is to put trust in God and not ourselves for our salvation. The fear of the Lord, according to this verse is tied directly to forgiveness of sin. We can rejoice in the forgiveness of sin. We should rejoice in the forgiveness of sin since we all need it. That forgiveness is expressed and demonstrated in our open Fear of the Lord.