Overrated 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?

“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?

“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?

“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?

“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?

“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?

“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?

“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?

“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?

“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?

“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?

“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?

“Ordinary offerings do not go unnoticed by God; in fact, God can use ordinary offerings to change the world.”4”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“lives. We need to pursue justice not just because the world is broken, but because we’re broken too. Pursuing justice helps us put our own lives in order. Perhaps this is what God intended—that in doing His work serving others, we discover more of His character and are changed ourselves.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“pursuing the dreams and visions that God has deposited in the hearts of those who love Him. Ideas, dreams, and visions don’t change the world. Rather, it’s people—like you and me, who faithfully, prayerfully, and tenaciously live out these ideas, dreams, and visions—who change the world.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“But do you really believe in Jesus when there is no evidence that you are doing what He compels us to do?”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“I believe you cannot credibly follow Christ unless you pursue justice.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“we must reflect on the truth that justice is a reflection of God’s character. Justice is the pursuit of the shalom that God intended for the world and humanity.”
― 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?

“But the criticism directed at TOMS (and presumably BOBS as well) in the humanitarian world is that the sometimes-airdropped boxes of shoes disrupt the economies they seek to help, and that they are essentially passing off consumption as charity.6 Instead of addressing the problems of poverty and unemployment, TOMS and BOBS are merely treating a symptom and are in fact making the economy worse in countries that already have high unemployment.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“Now, I am not suggesting that we all adopt a lifestyle of absolute poverty but rather a theology, praxis, and lifestyle of enough. We have enough. We are blessed and blessed immensely. God has given us enough. God is our enough. I’m reminded of the wise words G. K. Chesterton said: “There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.”11”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“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?

“People really do need improved access to clean water, better health care, decent education, and a living wage. But they, and we, need something far more profound. Whether we realize it or not, we all are longing for an intimate relationship with God, for a sense of dignity, for community and belonging, and for the ability to use our gifts and abilities to develop creation.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“Stories matter. How we communicate those stories matters. Our choices in the photos we capture and parade on our websites, brochures, and campaigns matter. Our choice to use photos of real children, women, or men on T-shirts, and to sell them for good causes matters. Asking ourselves the questions, “Should we do it?” and “What were we thinking?” matters, even if we have their permission. We need to question this practice and consider the stories we’re telling. I mean, seriously, would you want photos of your children being paraded around on clothing worn by strangers?”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?

“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?

“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?

“And this is the gospel: The good news is not merely that Jesus saves but that Jesus is with us. The promise of the gospel isn’t the health and wealth we often hear through erroneous prosperity theology, but that in all situations, God is with us.”
― Eugene Cho, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?