Lyrics
There are many people
Who will say they are Christians
And they live like Christians on the Sabbath day
But come Monday morning till the coming Sunday
They will fight their neighbor all along the way
Oh you don't love God, if you don't love your neighbor
If you gossip about him, if you never have mercy
If he gets into trouble, and you don't try to help him
Then you don't love your neighbor, and you don't love God
In the Holy Bible, in the Book of Matthew
Read the 18th chapter in the 21st verse
Jesus plainly tells us that we must have mercy
There's a special warning in the 35th verse
Oh you don't love God, if you don't love your neighbor
If you gossip about him, if you never have mercy
If he gets into trouble, and you don't try to help him
Then you don't love your neighbor, and you don't love God
There's a God almighty, and you've got to love him
If you want salvation and a home on high
If you say you love him while you hate your neighbor
Then you don't have religion, you just told a lie
Oh you don't love God, if you don't love your neighbor
If you gossip about him, if you never have mercy
If he gets into trouble, and you don't try to help him
Then you don't love your neighbor, and you don't love God
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The song sets Christian profession beside everyday conduct, arguing that devotion to God cannot be separated from mercy toward a neighbor. Its verses expose the contradiction of appearing faithful on the Sabbath while spending the rest of the week in gossip, conflict, or indifference. The recurring chorus makes practical compassion the test: trouble should draw help rather than judgment, and another persons need should be met with mercy.
The reference to Matthew 18 places forgiveness at the center of that message. Peter asks how often forgiveness is required, and Jesus answers before telling the parable of the unforgiving servant. The lyric also closely echoes 1 John 4:20, where a claim to love God is challenged when hatred is shown toward a brother or sister. Together, these connections support the songs plain warning that faith is demonstrated through truthful, merciful treatment of others, not merely through a weekly religious appearance.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus teaches repeated forgiveness and warns against withholding mercy in the parable of the unforgiving servant.
- 1 John 4:20 John says that claiming to love God while hating a brother or sister is a lie.