Hebrews 12:2
ESV - 2 Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
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The Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run with endurance, and to struggle against sin with power of the Holy Spirit. We should be running for Christ, not ourselves, and we must always keep him in sight.