Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a large crowd of spectators [Note: Christians are pictured here as being in a crowded arena, performing in the games], we should lay aside every [excessive] weight and sin that so easily entangle us, and with perseverance, we should run the race [of life] that lies before us.
Luke 21:34
"But pay attention to yourselves so that your hearts do not become overburdened by carousing, and drunkenness, and the worries of life. [If you do], that 'day' [i.e., Jesus' second coming and judgment] will arrive suddenly, like a trap [i.e., which catches an animal by surprise].
Matthew 10:37-38
The person who loves his father and mother more than me does not deserve me [i.e., to be my disciple]. And the person who loves his son or daughter more than me does not deserve me [i.e., to be my disciple].
Luke 8:14-15
And those people [represented by the seed] that fell among thorns are the ones who have heard [the word], and as they go about their business, they become choked by worry, by money and by worldly pleasures, and produce no mature crop.
Luke 14:26-33
"If anyone comes to me [i.e., to be my disciple], and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters and, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Romans 13:11-14
Now this [is another reason for observing the law of love]: You should know that it is about time to wake up out of your [spiritual] sleep, because [the day of our final] salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed [in Christ].
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that [although] everyone runs in a race, only one person wins the prize? So, you should run in order to win.
2 Corinthians 7:1
[So], since we have these promises [See 6:16-18], dear ones, we should purify ourselves from everything that pollutes [our] body and spirit while living lives completely separated [from sin], out of reverence for God.
Galatians 5:7
You [Christians] were running [the race of life] well; who hindered you [from making further progress] so that [now] you are no longer obeying the truth?
Ephesians 4:22-24
You were [taught] to put away [the conduct of] your former lifestyle, your old person who is being corrupted by deceitful desires,
Philippians 2:16
as you hold out [i.e., offer to people] the message of [never ending] life. Then I will have something to boast about on the day of Christ's [return, See 1:6], that I had not run the race for nothing nor had worked for nothing.
Philippians 3:10-14
I want to know Christ [as Savior] and to experience the power [produced] by His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death,
Colossians 3:5-8
So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing the desires of] your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality, [moral] impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is [in reality] idolatry.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good battle; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith [i.e., I have been true to my commitment].
Hebrews 10:35-39
[So], do not throw away your confidence, because it pays a rich reward.
1 John 2:15-16
You should not love the [godless] world, nor the things [i.e., the materialistic values] that are part of this [present] age. If any person loves the world, a [genuine] love for the Father is not in his heart.
Revelation 3:10
Because you have obeyed my command to remain steadfast [in the face of difficult times], I will also keep you from [giving up when] the time of trial comes, which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those living on the earth.
Matthew 24:13
But the person who holds out [i.e., remains faithful to God] until the end [i.e., of this time of severe persecution] will be saved [from destruction].
Luke 9:59-62
And [then] He said to another person, "Become my follower." But he replied, "Lord, allow me to go and bury my father first."
Luke 12:15
And [then] He said to them, "Be careful and guard yourselves against [practicing] all forms of greed, for a person's life does not consist of having a lot of possessions."
Luke 16:28
where I have five brothers. Then he could warn them so that they will not [have to] come to this [terrible] place of torment also.'
Luke 18:22-25
When Jesus heard this He said to him, " [There is] one thing you still lack. Sell all your possessions and distribute [the money] to poor people; become my follower, [then] you will have treasure in heaven."
John 3:32
He testifies concerning what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony.
John 4:39
Then many Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman, who said, "He told me everything that I ever did."
John 4:44
For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet does not receive honor in his own country. [Note: Jesus' reference here to his "own country" means Judea, while in Matt., Mark and Luke it refers to Nazareth].
Romans 2:7
To the ones who continue doing what is good and who look for glory, honor and immortal life [God will give] never ending life.
Romans 5:3-5
And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that [experiencing] troubles produces endurance;
Romans 8:24-25
For in [this] hope we were saved [i.e., we received the hope of future blessings]; but if we [already] see what we hope for, it is not [really] hope. For who hopes for what he [already] sees?
Romans 12:12
Be joyful as you hope [i.e., for future blessings]. Persevere in spite of the troubles you experience. Continue steadfastly in prayer.
1 Timothy 6:9-10
But those people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and [spiritual] destruction.
2 Timothy 2:4
No soldier on active duty, gets himself involved in the affairs of civilian life, so that he can please the person who enlisted him [i.e., his commanding officer].
Hebrews 6:15
And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham received what [God] had promised.
Hebrews 11:2-38
For the men of old [i.e., the forefathers. See 1:1], received [God's] approval [for their faith].
James 1:3
because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.
James 5:7-11
So, be patient, brothers, until the Lord comes. Look, the farmer waits for his land to produce the valuable crop and is patient with it until it receives the fall and spring rains.
1 Peter 2:1
Therefore, you should put out of your lives all malice [i.e., bad attitudes], and all deceit and hypocrisy, and all envy and unwholesome talk.
1 Peter 4:2
So then, you should no longer live the rest of your lives [to satisfy] the sinful desires of your body, but to do what God wants.
1 Peter 5:12
This brief message is being inscribed [or delivered] by Silvanus, whom I consider to be a faithful brother. [In it] I am exhorting you and giving testimony that it is a message about God's genuine unearned favor upon you. So, continue to follow [and obey] what it says.
2 Peter 1:6
and knowledge along with your goodness, and self-control along with your knowledge, and endurance along with your self-control, and godliness along with your endurance,
Revelation 1:9
I [am] John, your brother who participates with you in the suffering and kingdom and endurance [which we experience] in [fellowship with] Jesus. I was on the island called Patmos for [preaching] God's message and for testifying about Jesus. [Note: Patmos was located in the Aegean Sea between present-day Greece and Turkey].
Revelation 13:10
If anyone goes [or "leads others"] into captivity, he will go into captivity [himself]; if anyone is killed [or "kills others"] with the sword, he will be killed with the sword [himself]. Here is [where] God's holy people [need] perseverance and faith.
Revelation 22:16
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you people about these things for [the benefit of] the churches [See 1:4]. I am the Root and the descendant of King David, the bright Morning Star."
Matthew 10:22
And you will be hated by everyone for being loyal to me. But the person who endures [this persecution by remaining faithful] to the end [of his life] is the one who will be saved [i.e., from spiritual and physical destruction].