2 Chronicles 15:7

As for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

Acts 20:24

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.

(NLT) But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

John Calvin, Sermon on 2 Timothy 1:6-8 "I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God..."

If we would remedy our coldness and our laziness, knowing that our zeal and devotion are not what they should be, let us tell ourselves: ‘Well, God who put me in this world has revealed himself to me, and I have known him these many years. He has honoured me, wretched, useless creature that I am, by using me to exalt his glory and to advance his kingdom. I have served him, but not in my own strength. What must I do? Shall I now rest and idle the hours away? No! Let me be stirred up all the more to finish my race, since God has set me on the right path. He leads me on. I must not fail!’

Richard Baxter  "Dying Thoughts on Philippians 1:23" - "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

My Lord, I have nothing to do in this World, but to seek and serve thee; I have nothing to do with a Heart and its affections, but to breathe after thee. I have nothing to do with my Tongue and Pen, but to speak to thee, and for thee, and to publish thy Glory and thy Will. What have I to do with all my Reputation, and Interest in my Friends, but to increase thy Church, and propagate thy holy Truth and Service? What have I to do with my remaining Time, even these last and languishing hours, but to look up unto thee, and wait for thy Grace, and thy Salvation?

Richard Sibbes  The Matchless Love and Inbeing

How shall we persevere in our course?

1. Hold out a strong resolution against opposition, since scandals and difficulties will come. A firm resolution will carry us through all.

2. Labour to know the truth, and practice what you know.

3. Get the love of God in your heart and focus on your encouragements. Who would not hold out having such a captain and such a cause?

4. Strive for self-denial. A true Christian has a single eye. Worldly aims divide the heart. You cannot have God and your lusts together.

5. Grow deeper in humility. A man is humble when he accounts sin his greatest evil and grace his chiefest good.

Such a one will hold out in times of trial.

Thomas Gataker, pastor of Rotherhith, member of the Westminster Assembly, on Philippians 3:13-14

(Paul) did as men in a race that look not back to see how many they have passed, or how far they have progressed, but have their eyes fixed on the ground before them (and) how far we are to go, and how far we come short of that Christian perfection that we should all strive and contend to attain unto.

John Bunyan  Pilgrim's Progress 

Mr. Feeble to Honest and Gaius after he was rescued from Giant Slay Good by Great Heart

"I expect more onslaughts, but this I've resolved to do - to run when I can, to walk when I can't run, and to crawl when I can't walk. My way is before me, and my thoughts are beyond the River..." 

Peter Young, Daily Readings for a Year, on the Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 1863, on Luke 13:22–30

Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, he said; labor, wrestle, strain every nerve, put forth all your powers; do your very best; let nothing daunt or discourage you: let nothing induce you to relax your efforts or your watchfulness. Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, for many will seek to enter in but will take no real pains, and so shall not be able.