Red Letter Coaching Matthew 5:17-20
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 11
Don't Pick and Choose
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:14–16
The Big Idea (B3rd Focus)
Following Jesus means allowing Him to shape us completely—not selecting the parts of faith we like and ignoring the parts that challenge us.
Coaching Reflection
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes something very clear: He did not come to erase God’s law—He came to fulfill it and reveal its true purpose. Nothing about God’s standard is accidental or temporary. Every part points toward the kind of people God is forming us to become.
This is challenging for many of us today. It’s easy to drift into what you might call “cafeteria Christianity,” where we pick the parts of faith we like and leave the rest behind. We embrace the verses that feel encouraging but ignore the ones that stretch us, correct us, or call us to live differently. But Jesus makes it clear that following Him isn’t about reshaping God’s truth to fit our preferences—it’s about allowing Him to reshape us.
That’s the heart of B3rd living. We are not trying to change Christ to match our culture, our sport, or our comfort level. He is changing us. As athletes, coaches, and parents, this means we don’t just adopt the parts of faith that are convenient in our environment. We allow Jesus to form our character, our decisions, and the way we lead others. The goal isn’t partial transformation—it’s a new life shaped by Him.
B3rd Application
In athletics, it’s easy to treat faith the same way many people treat a buffet—taking the parts we like and leaving the parts that challenge us. We may love the verses about encouragement, teamwork, and perseverance, but hesitate when Scripture calls us to humility, sacrifice, forgiveness, or accountability.
Jesus makes it clear that following Him isn’t about partial obedience. It’s about full transformation. B3rd living means we don’t shape faith around our sport, our schedule, or our comfort. Instead, we allow Christ to shape how we compete, how we lead, and how we treat others.
When we truly put God first, everything else finds its proper place. Athletics become a platform for growth, character, and influence—not the center of our identity. Living B3rd means trusting that when we follow Christ completely, He will use our lives to impact the people around us in ways that go far beyond the game.
B3rd Challenges
Athletes
Are there parts of your faith that you embrace when it’s easy but ignore when it costs you something?
Do your choices on the field, in the locker room, and at school reflect the same values you claim to believe?
Challenge:
Choose one area this week—your attitude, effort, or how you treat teammates—where you intentionally live out your faith instead of blending in with the culture around you.
Coaches
Are you modeling a complete walk with Christ, or only the parts that feel comfortable in your program?
Do your leadership decisions reflect God’s standards, even when it might cost wins, approval, or convenience?
Challenge:
Identify one opportunity this week to reinforce character, integrity, or accountability within your team—even if it’s not the popular decision.
Parents
Are you helping your athlete understand that faith shapes every part of life, not just Sundays?
Do your conversations about sports reinforce identity in Christ or only focus on performance and results?
Challenge:
Have a conversation with your athlete this week about living their faith fully—especially in moments when it’s difficult or unpopular. Remind them that following Jesus means allowing Him to shape every part of who we are.
Final B3rd Thought
B3rd living isn’t about adjusting Jesus to fit our lives—it’s about allowing Him to transform them. When we stop picking and choosing and start fully following, our faith begins to shape how we compete, how we lead, and how we love others. Put God first, serve others second, and take the humble place of third—and watch how Christ uses your life to influence the world around you.
