Andrew M. Davis - An Infinite Journey: Growing Toward Christlikeness

Rarely have I read a book on sanctification that is simultaneously serious and fresh, at once reflective and accessible. Andy Davis combines analytical astuteness with pastoral passion. Those who think of themselves as Christians but who have no desire to grow in holiness need this book; Christians who want to be increasingly conformed to Christ will cherish this book.

DR. D. A. CARSON

Research Professor of New Testament

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

We can be grateful to Andy Davis for writing a much needed book on sanctification. The book is biblically grounded but also pastorally warm and wise. Readers who desire to grow in Christ or who long to teach others about spiritual maturity will find this book to be an invaluable resource.

DR. THOMAS R. SCHREINER

James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Associate Dean of Scripture and Interpretation

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

An Infinite Journey is a labor of love from the heart of a faithful pastor who dearly loves his people. It is a marvelous treatment of the doctrine of sanctification and a call to grow in Christlikeness. It is biblically grounded, theologically rich, and practical in application. It felt like I was reading a modern Puritan. Do not be hesitant to delve into this treasure because of its size. The precious nuggets of truth that leap from its pages will make the investment a wise one indeed.

DR. DANIEL L. AKIN

President

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

I love Andy Davis extraordinary mind. I love the breadth of his reading. Most of all, I love his terrific understanding of the Christian life and his grasp of the gospel. He is a faithful brother, and this book is a gift to the church.

DR. J.D. GREEAR

Lead Pastor of The Summit Church and author of Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart and Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary

Besides the Bible, it would be difficult to find any other single resource with more biblically sound, theologically rich, pastorally helpful, and practical insight about Christian growth than this book. Moreover, its not just a book about progress in Christlikeness, for I know Andy Davis and I can affirm that theres a life of growth in grace behind the book. I recommend it to anyone on the Infinite Journey.

DR. DON WHITNEY

Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality

Senior Associate Dean for the School of Theology

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

An Infinite Journey

Growing toward Christlikeness

2014 by Dr. Andrew M. Davis

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-1-62020-236-4

eISBN: 978-1-62020-335-4

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

NOTE: Throughout the work certain portions of the verses will be emphasized; all such emphases are from the author and are not part of the Scripture text.

Cover design and typesetting: Matthew Mulder

E-book conversion: Anna Riebe

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To Christi

It is a joy to journey with you toward mutual Christlikeness!

DURING MY TEENAGE YEARS, I became steeped in evangelical revivalism. I often got the impression from pastors and evangelists that salvation more or less equaled justification. From time to time, we learned about sanctification and glorification, but these truths were often assumed more than they were expounded. The real action was in getting saved, which meant being justified by faith in Jesus Christ as ones personal Lord and Savior.

I spent several years trying to nail down the exact moment I had been justified, since I was taught that my assurance of salvation is based almost entirely upon my decision to believe in Jesus for salvation. I often worried that I had not been sincere enough in my faith, because I still struggled with indwelling sin. I prayed some version or other of the sinners prayer dozens of times in an effort to be sure I was really saved. As far as I knew, the Christian life was about getting justified, knowing you were justified, and helping other people get justified.

I was in college when it first dawned upon me that salvation is not a single moment in time, but rather is a spiritual journey. Justification is not an end unto itselfit is the beginning of a spiritual pilgrimage that begins in this life and ultimately ends in the next life. I had been saved by grace through faith (justification), I was being saved as the Holy Spirit conformed me more to the image of my Savior (sanctification), and I would be saved at the last day when I am finally and forever freed from sin, sickness, sorrow, and suffering (glorification). It was liberating to finally understand that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6, ESV).

Providentially, my wife and I became a part of the First Baptist Church of Durham, North Carolina in 2005. We had learned of Andy Davis and his ministry at the church from some mutual friends. We wanted a church that emphasized expositional preaching, Gods sovereignty in salvation, meaningful church membership, and the importance of evangelism and missions; we found it at FBC Durham. Once we joined the church, we discovered that Andy often speaks of the Christian life as two infinite, interrelated journeys. In the past eight years, my own spirituality has been shaped by the awareness that I am on an inward journey toward sanctification and ultimately glorification, and an outward journey to proclaim the lordship of Jesus Christ here, there, and everywhere.

An Infinite Journey is the fruit of many years of preaching and teaching on the nature of the Christian life, primarily in the context of a local church. I have watched Andy Davis faithfully model the two infinite journeys for the people he shepherds. I have seen this vision of the Christian life shape the spirituality of public school teachers, medical doctors, lawyers, businessmen, stay-at-home mothers, retirees, converted convicts, international graduate students, seminary students and professors, and foreign missionaries. I have become convinced that speaking of two infinite journeys is a helpful and memorable way to describe authentic, biblical Christianity.

I am glad you have decided to read this book; I do not believe you have done so by accident. My prayer is that An Infinite Journey will be a means of sanctifying grace in your own spiritual walk as you continue on the two infinite journeys of the Christian life.

Nathan A. Finn

Elder, First Baptist Church of Durham

Associate Professor, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

October 15, 2013

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