Eugene Cho > Quotes

“Our calling is not simply to change the world, but perhaps as important, our calling is to be changed ourselves.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“Justice is the act of restoring something to fullness after it has been harmed. Justice is making things right. But that definition for me is still a little incomplete. Even more fundamental than a definition of justice is the place from which our understanding of justice emanates. It is hard to restore what has been wronged if you don’t have a point of reference. We need to know what this fullness looks like in its pure form. We need to know where this restoration comes from. If fullness is the goal for us as the church and as Christians, we must seek to understand the fullness of what God intended for His creation. We need to more deeply understand God the Father, Jesus the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. We need to more deeply grow in intimacy with the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. More often than not, we’re fixed in the brokenness of our world because we are constantly surrounded by such things. But if we’re not careful, we lose sight of God. We lose sight of God’s purposes and intent for creation. We lose sight of God’s promise to restore our brokenness and our fallen world. This is why for us, as Christians, the person of God, the deity of God, God’s justice, and God’s goodness are such powerful things. God’s justice is His plan of redemption for a broken world. God’s justice is renewing the world to where He would have intended it to be. Justice is not just a thing that is good. Justice is not merely doing good. Justice is not something that’s moral or right or fair. Justice is not, in itself, a set of ethics. Justice is not just an aggregation of the many justice-themed verses throughout the Scriptures. Justice is not trendy, glamorous, cool, or sexy. Justice isn’t a movement. Justice is so much more, and the understanding of this fullness is central to the work that we do in pursuing justice.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”3”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“The Jesus I follow is not the emperor arriving on a chariot, but the humble King arriving on a donkey. The all-powerful Lord who chooses a different way, who comes to serve. The Jesus I follow made deliberate efforts to get to know and befriend those who were shunned by society. The Jesus I follow did not have a home, and challenged people to not follow the law, but to live into a new life, a new way of thinking, to bring forth the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.”
― Eugene Cho, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics

“What brings credibility to the gospel is not more hour-long sermons. What brings credibility, passion, and, ultimately, belief is seeing the gospel at work … the incarnate gospel. What will move skeptics, cynics, and critics are Christians who love God and love their neighbors—including neighbors who don’t look like them—by willingly and humbly serving their needs.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“To “do justice” means to render to each what each is due. Justice involves harmony, flourishing, and fairness, and it is based on the image of God in every person—the Imago Dei—that grants all people inalienable dignity and infinite worth.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“A religion true to its nature must also be concerned about man’s social conditions.… Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a dry-as-dust religion.7”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“If you truly believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, then you believe that the gospel matters not just for your personal salvation and blessing, but also for God’s pursuit of restoration, redemption, and reconciliation of the entire world. Christians believe in the gospel that is revealed to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ: A gospel that not only saves but also serves; A gospel that not only saves but seeks to restore all things back unto the One that ushered forth all that is good and beautiful; A gospel that not only saves but ushers in the kingdom of God; A gospel that not only saves but restores the dignity of humanity—even in the midst of our brokenness and depravity. This gospel is not just for us. The gospel is good news for all. Justice as Discipleship”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“I believe every single man, woman, and child—including the pre-born—is created in the image of God. I believe in the sanctity and dignity of life from womb to tomb. Not only babies’ lives, but also the lives of their mothers. Not just our lives, but their lives. Not just American lives, but Syrian lives. Not just Christian lives, but Muslim lives. To be pro-all-life is to acknowledge the systemic injustice that operates against indigenous and black and brown people in our culture. To be pro-all-life is to be broken by the fact that LGBTQ youth are three to six times more likely to attempt suicide. 16 And the list goes on …”
― Eugene Cho, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics

“The life of Martin Luther King Jr. was one that typified the pursuit of justice, both spiritually and socially. He said these words: A religion true to its nature must also be concerned about man’s social conditions.… Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a dry-as-dust religion.7”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love. Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice.2”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“To devalue the life of another, to be a jerk, is counter to the kingdom. To be a jerk, to revel in earthly shouting matches, sells short the radically different way of Christ. It’s a poor representation of Christianity and also a foolish political move. Before all of our best arguments, let’s first show love. That’s what we’re supposed to be known for, after all.”
― Eugene Cho, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics

“If we want to be a people who bring hope and healing to a broken culture, with the message of Jesus, we must be willing to scoot over to make room at the table for the untouchables, no matter who they might be.”
― Eugene Cho, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics

“Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a dry-as-dust religion.7”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“A gospel that not only saves but serves. A gospel that not only saves but seeks to restore all things back unto the One that ushered forth all that is good and beautiful; A gospel that not only saves but ushers in the kingdom of God; A gospel that not only saves but restores the dignity of humanity-even in the midst of our brokenness and depravity.”
― Eugene Cho

“If you truly believe in the gospel, then you have to believe that it matters not just for your personal salvation and blessings but also for God’s pursuit of restoration, redemption, and reconciliation for the entire world. I believe in this gospel. I live for this gospel.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. —African proverb”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“If only Facebook had always been around, our broken world would have been fixed long ago. All you have to do to make the world a better place is to change your profile picture or status update. Just think, Dr. King wouldn’t have needed to march. Gandhi wouldn’t have gone on a hunger strike. And Mother Teresa would have never needed to actually touch a sick or poor person. They could have just let everyone know their opinion on FB and everything would have changed for the better.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“Nonviolence means that we will not return evil for evil. It means we will turn the other cheek. We will love our enemies. And yet it does so bravely, leaning forward into the conversation no one is allowing us to have—and speaking up for matters of justice. For matters of equality. To make things right that are broken. Nonviolence is not an invitation to be trampled on. Rather, it requires us to believe that God’s ways are more powerful than ours.”
― Eugene Cho, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics

“Much is made about the right to vote and the importance of election days. However, if we reduce civic engagement to a singular vote every two or four years, we are part of the problem. Yes, get out and vote. But don’t just cast a vote. Embody your faith. Serve your neighbors. Advocate for the last and the least. Share the gospel. Work for the common good. Pursue justice. Seek the peace of your city.”
― Eugene Cho, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics

“A temptation of our culture is the need to debate and comment on every single event. Sometimes, wisdom is evident in silence. Sometimes, silence is necessary for sanity.”
― Eugene Cho, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“Nehemiah is a classic example of a leader who used his voice, position, and resources to help defend and rebuild a system that he believed was needed to protect the people of Jerusalem. What we see in his story is that (1) his heart broke for the people of Jerusalem; (2) he prayed and fasted for God to work through him; (3) he used his voice to speak up to people in power; and (4) he gathered people around him who shared the vision with him.”
― Eugene Cho, No Longer Strangers: Transforming Evangelism with Immigrant Communities

“If you don’t know who you are, you risk burnout, shortcuts, and the possibility that your good intentions will harm others.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“To love our neighbors as ourselves is the natural outcome of our love toward God.”
― Eugene Cho, No Longer Strangers: Transforming Evangelism with Immigrant Communities

“However, this initial phase of emergency assistance is often where we stop. We do not move beyond handouts. This is our Western mind-set about helping people: to be content with giving handouts instead of equipping people long-term. In reality, this initial phase of relief should be time limited, likely only one to three months.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“is doing for others what we would want done for us.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“To be a Christ follower is to be faithful amid tension. To stay engaged, to remain hopeful, to love anyway, to walk with integrity, and to bear witness to the love, mercy, and grace of Christ.”
― Eugene Cho, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics

“Sometimes the things that need to be set right are not just in the lives of those we seek to serve. The things that need to be set right may also be in our own lives.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?