Solomon noted that while evil men may lengthen their lives by wickedness, the wise path is to “fear God, to fear Him openly” (Ecclesiastes 8:12). Fearing God “openly” means to publicly fear Him. This is fear clearly demonstrated, exposed for the entire world to see. This point offers several lessons:
First, only “open fear” is true fear. It is possible for one to play the game, acting like a God-fearer, but in reality for a person to be a hypocrite. He publicly acts one way, but privately he acts another way. When alone, he lives like the world, doing what faithful Christians would never do. Yet, God will bring to judgment those secret sins (Ecclesiastes 12:14) and everything done that had been hidden from the eyes of men (2 Timothy 2:24). Note, though, that nothing is hidden from the eyes of God.
Second, only “open fear” is God approved. God wants His people not to cower before the threats, pressures, persecutions and ridicule of men (Matthew 5:10). Instead, He wants men to “fear Him who can destroy both the body and soul in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Those who “openly fear” God visibly love Him. They worship every Lord’s Day. They speak about God, Jesus, the Bible and the church. They boldly speak the truth, and they are not ashamed of the testimony of Christ (2 Timothy 1:8).
Third, only “open fear” is dangerous. Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Jesus, but “a secret one” (John 19:38). By not openly showing his allegiance to Jesus, Joseph bypassed persecution. It is commendable that Joseph eventually let his loyalty to Jesus be known. However, there are those who forever fail to take that bold step, cowering before the constant threat of persecution. Yet, God has no use for the coward (Revelation 21:8). He is not the source of one’s timidity (2 Timothy 1:7). If we desire to live godly in Christ Jesus, we must let our commitment to Him be known (2 Timothy 3:12).
Those who do not fear God are also quite public in their mockery. “They have set their mouth against the heavens and their tongue parades through the earth” (Psalm 73:9). If God’s people are not lights on a hill, publicly proclaiming the excellencies of God, who will be?
