Most evangelicals would agree. We're living in a time of apostasy. Some believe we may even be in the time of the great end-time apostasy that is referred to by our Lord's apostles. The question is, what do we -- the average Christian -- do about it?

Friends, this isn't a new question. It's an old question. That's because, apostasy isn't new. It's a spiritual condition that has infected God's people from the beginning. In fact, it was even present in the biblical story about Cain and Abel. Scripture tells us that God was pleased with Abel's sacrifice, but not Cain's. So, instead of correcting his form of worship, Cain got angry. You know what happened next. Cain killed his brother Abel.

This brings us back to our modern-day apostasy. I fear where it's ultimately going. It's leading to our persecution. This isn't just a lesson we learn from Scripture. It's a lesson we also learn from history.

I'm reminded of another Christian who faced this question -- about how to respond. His name was Menno Simons. He was born in the Netherlands in 1496, about 10 miles from the North Sea. Like the majority of Christians in his day, Simons began his spiritual life as a Roman Catholic. And, in 1524, Simons was ordained into the priesthood. For the following 12 years, Simons faithfully performed his duties. As a result, Simons lived the so-called "good life". Later, Simons described his life as full of "frivolities of all sorts".

Then, in 1536, as the effects of the Reformation were sweeping Europe, Simons did something unexpected. He resigned his position of privilege in the Catholic Church and joined a sect of poor and persecuted Christians called Anabaptists. The name was given them because they didn't believe in infant baptism. They only believed in believer's baptism. As a result, their movement was seen as undermining the authority of the Roman Church, which was also the official state church. For this reason, Anabaptists became a persecuted people. In time, Simons rose to be a leader. His followers became known as Mennonites.

This brings us back to our question. If the great, end-time apostasy is here, what should be our response? And, like I said before, if apostasy is here, we know persecution may not be far behind. So, again, what should be our response? Perhaps we could learn a lesson from history. Facing similar circumstances, Simons had this to say about persecution:

You see, brethren, every Christian should be prepared for this. For this is the real reward and crown of this world with which it has paid off, rewarded, and honored all true servants of God who have set before them in pure love the kingdom, the Word, and the will of God.

He also said:

Therefore, my very precious brethren and sisters in the Lord, do take the crucified Jesus as your example and the righteous apostles and prophets of God. Learn through them how they all crept in at this very narrow gate and have left all things hanging at the entrance, for they had their hearts trained there and they were so endowed and drawn by God that they knew nothing, sought nothing, loved and desired nothing save the eternal, heavenly, and imperishable treasure and existence, that is, God and eternal life ... the transient wicked world with all its works was to them an offense and an abomination.

No, our situation today isn't exactly the same as it was in the days of Simons. We do, however, see some of our own evangelical leaders starting to make the same mistakes. As it was before the Reformation, the salvation message is being altered. In many churches, it's being watered down to be more acceptable. And, in some cases, our Lord's table is even being compromised with total unbelievers. So, what should we do about it?

Friends, this is what I think. It's too late to get angry at our leaders. And, it does no good. Instead, we need to learn again how to show the love of Christ in the face of our persecutors. We need to respond in a way that will, with God's help, drive those who disagree back to their senses.

In other words, it may be time for our crosses.