A well-known Christian speaker and author says that Christians should be united in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, after a flood of negative comments on her social media pages earlier this week.

On Tuesday, Kay Warren, wife of Pastor Rick Warren, posted that she and her husband had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Within hours, hundreds of people had posted with angry remarks, with people either upset that the Warrens got the vaccine before others, or angry that they decided to get the vaccine.

Warren says that she chose to remove the post from Facebook altogether, disappointed with the public display of negativity from fellow Christians. Her tweet from the same day still remains.

"for those of you who love Jesus - consider how we who share one faith, one baptism and one Lord can live together in the peace and unity of the Spirit whether or not we agree on a host of subjects."

"Those of you determined to find fault in a simple health decision, see nefarious motives where there are none, accuse us of being paid participants, of 'gaming the system' - feel free to unfollow me," she writes in a post on Wednesday. "No need to use your limited stores of emotional energy on this page being rude, suspicious, snarky, demeaning or accusatory."

Warren posted an alternate option for those that follow her, and one she hopes Christians will consider as the pandemic continues and emotions run high.

"I fear too many Christians have shifted their passion from oneness in the Body of Christ to the full-time ripping and shredding of other believers who hold differing points of view. The Bible warns us against this behavior"

"Or an even better idea for those of you who love Jesus - consider how we who share one faith, one baptism and one Lord can live together in the peace and unity of the Spirit whether or not we agree on a host of subjects.  THIS pursuit should occupy and engage our full passions," she says.

"I fear too many Christians have shifted their passion from oneness in the Body of Christ to the full-time ripping and shredding of other believers who hold differing points of view. The Bible warns us against this behaviour in Galatians 5:15 (NLT) 'But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.'"

We checked a big box today: First round of COVID-19 vaccines under our belts (actually in our arms🤣) I’m grateful for the wonderful volunteers and medical personnel who made it easy! One step closer to visiting our beloved Hillikers in Idaho!! pic.twitter.com/TczD5Glcfy

— Kay Warren (@KayWarren1) January 26, 2021

The author of several books, including Choose Joy, poses a question to her followers, challenging them to display love for others.

"What if the passion being expended on finding fault, looking for hidden motives, searching for even more sarcastic words to put people down, and ripping fellow humans apart for holding different opinions was applied to learning how to LOVE those same human beings?? Wouldn’t that more accurately fulfill Colossians 4:12-15?"

That Scripture says, "Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must close yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

DeVonna Drey, who works in children's and music ministry at Saddleback, says that division is sadly rampant between Christians in the midst of the pandemic. "I am so disgusted with all of it! The division! And I’ve fallen into myself," Drey writes. 

"I’m sick of myself! I can’t do it anymore. The hatred and meanness is unreal...You can feel the evil jumping from the responses. Even if they are disguised with cliches and scriptures. There must be a better way to share the gospel. This isn’t working anymore."

The post has received thousands of comments and almost 1,000 shares over the past two days. Many have expressed thanks for the post and have agreed with her